
mpendium of 
c r i ptural Truths 



C Marshal] Smith J 




Copyright N° 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



COMPENDIUM 
— OF — 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



A COLLECTION 

— OF — 

ARTICLES AND SAYINGS 

Compiled and Edited by 

MARSHALL SMITH 




BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO. 

835 Broadway, New York 

BRANCH OFFICESi CHICAGO, WASHINGTON. BALTIMORE, 
ATLANTA. NORFOLK. FLORENCE. ALA. 



V 



^2 ' 



Copyright, 1911, by 

MARSHALL SMITH 



i 

i 



i 



©GI.A28G234 



Note. — It has been the author's endeavor to have 
all Scripture references correct. The reader is re- 
quested to read carefully, and in event of any error, 
(or for any cause) we invite correspondence. 

Address all correspondence to 

Marshall Smith, 
Milner, Ga., U. S. A. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Grace 7 

What Think Ye of Christ? 18 

Propositions for All Believers ....... 20 

The Bible 30 

Gathered Fragments 31 

The Seven Dispensations 62 

The Two Advents 69 

The Two Resurrections 80 

The Five Judgments 84 

Law and Grace 91 

The Believer's Two Natures 103 

Salvation and Rewards no 

Christian Simplicity 114 



PREFACE. 

In this little volume I make no pretense at original- 
ity or grammatical precision. In its preparation I 
have drawn upon various authors whose writings are 
of unquestionable integrity, and in making these ex- 
cerpts it has been found impracticable to give credit to 
whom credit is due. As only the glory of God and 
the good of souls is sought, no offense is intended and 
no charge of plagiarism can be brought. 

For years I have been collecting these articles and 
sayings, in hope that some day I might be able to put 
them in book form. They have been food for my 
soul and incentives to a purer life. That they may 
prove a like blessing to others is my humble prayer. 

The Author. 



Compendium of Scriptural Truths. 



GRACE. 

I want to call your attention to the word "Grace." 
It is one of the words in the English language that is 
very little understood. I have seldom found an in- 
quirer who really understood the meaning of the word. 
When we talk to the anxious, almost the first thing 
they say is that they are not worthy. These are the 
very ones with whom the Lord deals in grace. The 
word grace means "undeserved mercy," "unmerited 
favor." The very meaning of the word throws a 
flood of light upon the soul. As long as men try to 
make out that they are worthy to receive anything 
from God, they will never get a crumb from God's 
table. But the moment a man takes his place as a 
poor, miserable, unworthy wretch, then God can deal 
in grace with him. (Matt. 15 : 21-28.) 

In the first place, let us find out the source of this 
stream that has been flowing so freely for the last 
1900 years, and of which so many have drunk and 
lived. Men are very anxious just now to know who 
discovered the North Pole. My reader, it is of far 
more importance to know the source of this wonderful 
stream of grace. 

7 



COMPENDIUM 

Turn with me to Jno. i : 14. "And the Word was 
made flesh and dwelt among us ... . full of grace 
and truth." There never was but one man full of 
"grace and truth" ; that was the man Christ Jesus, the 
God-Man. He was so full of grace that when the 
poor woman who had the issue of blood touched his 
garment, grace flowed right out and she was healed. 
If there is any poor, sin-sick soul, if you will only 
come in contact with Him, you can be saved this very 
minute. There will be virtue coming forth from Him 
that will heal you. 

Verse 17. "The law was given by Moses, but 
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." No one was 
ever saved by the law. It was never given to be 
saved by ; it never did, nor never can save anyone. 
It was given to show man his need of grace. 

Turn to Rom. 5:15. "For if through the offence 
of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, 
and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus 
Christ, hath abounded unto many." Some one has 
spoken of the great mystery of sin coming into the 
world. It is a greater mystery still that the Son of 
God came down to earth and bore the brunt of it. 
He tasted death for us, and took our sins away; He 
became the source of grace and also the channel for 
the blessing of God to flow in. 

Turn to 1 Cor. 1:3, 4. "Grace be unto you, and 
peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus 
Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for 
the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ." 
The thought that I want to bring out here is that it 
is a free gift. God gave Him up freely for us all : 
and if it is a gift, then we must receive it as a gift. 
Men talk about grace. I don't think that in our deal- 
ings with each other we know much about it. Sup- 
pose I go to the bank and borrow $1,000 for thirty 

8 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

days. They make me give them my note of hand, 
which reads something like this : "Thirty days after 
date I promise to pay," etc. And if I do not pay, 
they will sell my goods in order that they may be 
paid. Why, there is no grace in that at all. If it 
was grace they would give me principal and interest, 
too ; that is grace. But that is about all men know of 
grace; it is about as near as they get to it. But the 
God of all grace gives us freely — gives us all, with- 
out money and without price. 

Looking at Matt. 21 : 28-32. The great truth taught 
here is that those who believe the gospel were saved. 
The publicans and harlots, the vilest men and women 
who lived while Christ was on earth, all who would 
come and take the grace that was offered them would 
be saved. The whole Jewish nation just stumbled 
upon this one thing, self-righteousness. The greatest 
enemy we have is this miserable self-righteousness. 
I would to God He would strip us of every rag of it 
to-day. Those Jews went about to establish their 
own righteousness. They said : "We are of the seed 
of Abraham; we believe in Moses and the law. We 
are a good deal better than the nations round about 
us." And Christ could not deal in grace with them 
at all. They were very religious men; in fact, they 
were the most religious people of the day. They went 
to all the services, and made long prayers, and yet 
Christ says to them boldly : "The publicans and har- 
lots go into the kingdom of God before you." Why? 
Because they repented, and took salvation as a free 
gift. 

It is so now. Very often, when you go to preach 
to people, they begin to draw their filthy rags of self- 
righteousness around them, and they say: "Oh, yes; 
that is very good for drunkards and thieves, but not 
for us. We are educated people; we are refined; we 



COMPENDIUM 

go to church every Sunday ; we say our prayers." 
But that is all. They have all the forms, but not the 
living Christ. Here is a poor, miserable, fallen one, 
who takes salvation as a gift. That is the lesson 
taught us here — one of the hardest lessons we can 
learn. A great many are trying to work their way 
into the kingdom of God. A man said he had been 
forty-two years learning three things — first, that he 
could do nothing toward his salvation; second, that 
God did not require him to do anything; and third, 
that Christ had done it all Himself. 

The self-righteous men and women do not believe 
that. Many of you will say : "What kind of doctrine 
is this you are preaching?" I was trying to convince 
a man that salvation is a free gift. He said : "It is a 
very strange doctrine to preach, that a man could be 
saved so easily, and without doing anything." But 
if I understand my Bible, it is "to him that worketh 
not, but believeth." These are the very things that 
are keeping men out of the kingdom of God. When 
Christ died on the cross, He said, "It is finished," and 
He meant what He said. All we have to do is to take 
salvation as a gift. 

Yes, but you say, What about the passage where it 
says : "Work out your own salvation with fear and 
trembling?" Well, you must have it before you can 
work it out. If I say to my boy : "You are going to 
town; here is $1,000 for you; see that you take care 
of it." He would say : "But I must have it before 
I can take care of it." Or if I ask him to work out 
a piece of land, and to till it, I must first give him 
the piece of land. 

Turn to Mark 7 : 24. "And from thence He arose 
and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon and en- 
tered into a house, and would have no man know it; 
but He could not be hid." He was so full of grace 

10 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

and truth that it flowed out. When a man is full of 
grace and truth he can't be hid. The light will shine 
out of itself ; you do not have to make it shine. "For 
a certain woman, etc. ... it is not meet to take the 
children's bread and cast it unto the dogs." Dogs ! 
If that woman had been like a great many at the pres- 
ent day, she would have been greatly offended. 
"What ! do you call me a Gentile dog ! I know of 
some of the seed of Abraham who live down in my 
neighborhood, a good deal worse than I am. There 
is a Jewish woman next door does a good many 
things I would not do. To be sure, I am a Gentile; 
but I am a good deal better than a good many Jews." 
That is the way many women speak now ; the result 
is, they never get the blessing. What did this woman 
do? "She answered and said, Yes, Lord: yet the 
dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." 
She took her place as a poor, miserable dog. Any- 
thing so that she should get the blessing that she asked 
for. My friends, a crumb from God's table is a 
thousand times better than all the devil ever gave 
you. She took her place at His feet, and He said 
unto her: "For this saying, go thy way, the devil is 
gone out of thy daughter." She got more than she 
asked for; she only asked for a crumb, and she got 
a whole loaf. You will find that all through the 
three years that Christ was down here, He was try- 
ing to teach the Jews the great lesson of Grace, but 
they never understood it. Here was a poor woman 
who came and put herself in the place of a poor, miser- 
able, lost one, who wanted a favor from Him. And 
how quickly He granted it. I will challenge you to 
find any man or woman who ever came to Christ, and 
made out that they were unworthy, but He blessed 
them at once. 

Turn to the 7th chapter of Luke. There you have 

11 



COMPENDIUM 

the same lesson. "When He had ended all his sayings 
in the audience of the people, He entered into Caper- 
naum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was 
dear unto him, was sick and ready to die." You 
know how, when people are in distress, and burdened, 
then they go unto the Lord and cry unto Him. "And 
when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders 
of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and 
heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus they 
besought Him instantly, saying that he was worthy 
for whom He should do this : for he loveth our na- 
tion, and he hath built us a synagogue." It is the 
same old story that we hear now. This man was 
worthy because he had built them a synagogue. So 
to-day they say : "Oh, yes, he is a very good man ; 
he built a church ; of course he will go to Heaven. 
He built a cathedral not long ago, and endowed col- 
leges and seminaries." They don't say how he made 
the money. Perhaps it was by dishonest methods. 
But, nevertheless, he is worthy; the Lord is under 
obligations to him. 

That a man should give away large sums of money 
may be very good in its place, but if it means that a 
man is not to take the gift of God as a poor beggar, it 
all goes for nought. God won't accept it. A lady 
told me that she did not believe what I teach, that 
we are saved for nothing. She had an uncle who had 
given large sums of money, and endowed schools, and 
built churches ; and, although he was not a Christian, 
and did not make any profession, although he did not 
believe in Christ as a Savior, she believed he had a 
right to demand a seat in Heaven. She was more 
honest than a good many people. If they don't say it 
right out, they believe they have a right to demand a 
seat in Heaven. So those Jews asked Jesus to leave 

12 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

his work and go instantly, as this centurion was 
worthy and had built them a synagogue. 

Jesus went with them. It seemed as if He was go- 
ing to do what they wished. But, bear in mind, the 
Lord knew a good deal more about the centurion than 
the Jews did. "Lord, trouble not thyself, for / am 
not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof." 
The centurion tells a different story about himself, 
and he knew his own heart better than the Jews did. 
There was faith and humility for you ! "Wherefore 
neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee, 
but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." 
When a man speaks well of himself, no one else will 
speak well of him. But when a man has got to know 
the true state of his own heart, he will not be talking 
about how worthy he is. He feels he is a poor, miser- 
able, vile wretch, and down in the dust he comes ; then 
God can meet him. "I say unto you I have not found 
so great faith, no, not in Israel." This centurion did 
not belong to the seed of Abraham; here the Lord 
found another poor Gentile outside of the house of 
Israel who understood what grace was. And He 
turned to these Jews and just held him up to them and 
preached the gospel. Here is a man who understood 
what he must do to find favor with the Lord. God 
could deal in grace with him, and He blessed him 
there. He got all he asked for. And so, my friends, 
if you want to be saved, make out that you are not 
worthy. Do not come as the Pharisee and say how 
good you are and how righteous you are. But the 
moment you come to God as a poor, miserable, lost 
sinner, you can take salvation as a gift. 

I want to prove to you from Scripture, and I think 
I can, that we are not saved by works. I know how 
some people cling to the doctrine of salvation by 

13 



COMPENDIUM 

works. I know some of you will go away and say I 
have been preaching false doctrine. Let us turn to 
the law, to the testimony. If I do not preach accord- 
ing to the Word of God, do not believe a word I say ; 
but if it is according to this Word, I have a right 
to demand that you believe it. 

Eph. 2 : 8. "By grace are ye saved, through faith, 
and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God. Not 
of works, lest any man should boast." There is no 
chance for boasting, or for a man to work his way up 
to Heaven. A Scotchman said it took two to convert 
him. How was that? It took the Lord and himself. 
What did he do ? He fought against God all he could, 
and God did all the rest. Yes, God does it all. I 
never saw a man who could say he had ever done 
anything toward his own salvation. 

2 Tim. i : 9. "Who hath saved us and called us 
with an holy calling, not according to our works, but 
according to his own purpose and grace, which was 
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." Not 
according to our works. He calls upon men to come, 
works or no works. They don't come in at all; our 
works don't help toward our salvation. 

Rom. 11:6. "If by grace, then it is no more works, 
otherwise grace is no more grace." Don't you see, if 
it is grace, if it is a gift, then it cannot be by works. 
I hire a man to dig in my garden a day, and at its 
close gave him one dollar; the man had earned it. 
He goes home and his wife says, "Where did you get 
that money ?" He says, "I worked for it." But sup- 
pose another man comes to me and says, "I have been 
sick for the past two weeks and unable to work ; my 
family are suffering for food," and I give him one 
dollar. The one is a gift, the other is not. Now, 
God is a Sovereign ; He is not here selling salvation — 
offering you salvation if you will pay for it. What 

ia 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

can you offer the King of Kings? What have you 
got that God will accept? Nothing but your sins. 

Suppose some great, wealthy sovereign should offer 
you some valuable present, and you did not like to 
take it without some acknowledgement; and suppose 
you were to offer a penny for the present. What a 
ridiculous idea — offering a penny ! My friends, it 
would be a great deal better to do that than to try 
and off er God anything to save you. If He saves you, 
it will be as a Sovereign. He will be under no obli- 
gation, but He will give salvation right out of His 
heart. He wants to give it to every soul to-day. The 
question is, will you accept it or reject it? 

I can imagine some of you say: "I don't think a 
person can be saved without being baptized and par- 
taking of the Lord's Supper." God forbid that I 
should say anything against any church ordinances; 
they are all right in their own place. But I want to 
say, and I want you to understand, that Baptism and 
the Lord's Supper have nothing to do with salvation 
as a gift. We must first of all be saved before we can 
begin to work ; after that you can work day and night. 
You cannot work too hard then ; but you must work 
from the cross and not towards it. As long as you 
are working to be saved, you are trying to add some- 
thing to the finished work of Jesus. My friends, keep 
your hands off the cross. If God is satisfied, surely 
you ought to be satisfied. Salvation is separate and 
distinct from all church ordinances. The last man 
whom Christ saved before He expired on the cross 
was that poor thief. He had a nail through each of 
his hands; he could not work for his salvation. He 
had a nail through both his feet; he could not run on 
any errands for the Lord. When he had used his 
feet, they were swift to shed blood ; and when he had 
use of his hands, they were doing the devil's service. 

15 



COMPENDIUM 

He could not have been baptized ; there was not a 
man in Judea who would have baptized him. As h^ 
hung there by the Savior's side, he cried out : "Lord, 
remember me." That prayer was right to the point. 
I hope there will be some who will make that prayer 
to-day. Don't be looking around to see how it suits 
your neighbors; take it home to yourself. To-day 
let the prayer go up from your hearts, "Lord, remem- 
ber me." No one gets salvation until he gets down 
to this point. That prayer fell upon the ears of the 
Son of God, and immediately there came the answer: 
"This day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Christ 
snatched him from the jaws of death, from the grasp 
of the devil, and took him to Paradise with Him. He 
was never baptized, nor partook of the Lord's Supper. 
Perhaps he could not even see Christ; but he could 
hear Him when He prayed : "Father, forgive them, 
for they know not what they do." Perhaps he thought 
to himself, "I want an interest in that prayer," and 
he cried out: "Lord, remember me." He only asked 
to be remembered, but Christ took him into Paradise 
with Him. He was not ashamed to walk arm-in-arm 
with the poor thief through Paradise. 

The gift of salvation is offered to you to-day, with- 
out money and without price. What are you going 
to do with it? 

One more passage before I close. Titus 2:11. 
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath ap- 
peared to all men." Hath appeared to all men. I do 
not see what a man is going to say if he goes down 
to death without salvation. That verse will blaze out 
before the throne of God. If men are lost, it is be- 
cause they spurn the gift of God. Did you ever stop 
to think what it cost God to redeem us? To be sure, 
salvation is as free as the very air, but it cost God 
the Son of His bosom. Look at that scene at Cal- 

16 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

vary, the Son of God dying there, and God looking 
down from Heaven. Nay, He refused to look upon 
Him. He turned away His face. There He was 
smitten for you and me. "God gave Him up freely 
for us all." What shall we do with Him? We must 
do one of two things — receive Him or reject Him. 

It seems to me that the grace of God ought to 
break every heart to-day. 

Will you receive Him or reject Him? 



17 



COMPENDIUM 



WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST? 

Pharasees, with what have you to reproach Christ? 

"He eateth with publicans and sinners." 

Is this all ? 

"Yes." 

And you, Caiphas, what say you of him? 

"He is guilty; he is a blasphemer, because he said, 
'Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the 
right hand of power and coming in the clouds of 
Heaven/ " 

Pilate, what is your opinion? 

"I find no fault in this man." 

And you, Judas, who sold your Master for silver; 
have you some fearful charge to hurl against him? 

"I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent 
blood." 

And you, centurion and soldiers, who led him to the 
cross, what have you to say against him? 

"Truly this was the Son of God." 

And you, demons ? 

"He is the Son of God." 

John the Baptist, what think you of Christ ? 

"Behold the Lamb of God." 

And you, John? 

"He is the bright and morning star." 

Peter, what say you of your Master? 

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

And you, Thomas? 

"My Lord and my God." 

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OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Paul, you have persecuted him ; what testify you of 
him? 

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord." 

Angels of Heaven, what think ye of Jesus ? 

"Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the 
Lord." 

And Thou, Father in Heaven, who knoweth all 
things ? 

'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well 
pleased." 

Beloved reader, what think you of Christ? 



19 



COMPENDIUM 



PROPOSITIONS FOR ALL BELIEVERS. 

"I speak as unto wise men, judge ye what I say." 
i Cor. 10: 5. 

1. In the early declension of the Church of God, a 
general exhortation was issued "to them that are sanc- 
tified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ 
and called — that they should earnestly contend for 
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." 
Jude 1:3. 

2. In the foreseen declension, the Apostle commends 
the Church for safety "to God and to the word of his 
grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you 
an inheritance among all them that are sanctified." 
Acts 20 : 32. 

3. The authority and sufficiency of the Word of 
God are insisted upon in 2 Tim. 3 : 14-17. "All scrip- 
ture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable," 
etc. ; therefore, we should ask in all matters of faith, 
with Saint Paul, Rom. 4 : 3, "What saith the scrip- 
ture ?" and in Gal. 4 : 30. 

4. In testing the authority of teachers, I am told 
that "if they speak not according to this word, it is 
because there is no light in them." Is. 8 : 20. 

5. The Church is commended by Christ for trying 
the assumption of dignitaries. Rev. 2 :2 : "And thou 
hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are 
not, and hast found them liars." 

6. The Church of God is "built upon the founda- 
tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- 

20 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

self being the chief corner stone." Eph. 2 : 20 and 
3 : 5. The foundation laid by these wise master build- 
ers "is Jesus Christ." 1. Cor. 3:11. All other foun- 
dations than Christ the Rock are sand. Luke 6 : 47-49. 

7. The "Holy Temple" of God is built of "living 
stones," and not as formerly of hewn stones. Be- 
lievers are the living stones. 1 Pet. 2 : 5. 

8. The body of every believer "is the temple of the 
Holy Ghost, which is in you and which you have of 
God." 1 Cor. 6 : 19. 

9. Every believer is baptized by the Holy Ghost into 
one body, of which Christ is the head, and "as the 
body is one and hath many members, and all the 
members of that one body being many, are one body : 
so also is Christ." I Cor. 12:12-13. 

10. It follows, therefore, that all members of 
Christ's Body are "children of God by faith in Christ 
Jesus." Gal. 3:26. 

11. All the members of Christ's Body when mani- 
fested with Him in glory, constitute "the Church of 
the first-born, which are written in Heaven." Heb. 
12:23. 

12. All members of Christ in a given locality con- 
stitute the Church of God in that place. The Church 
at Philippi, Ephesus, Colosse, Philippians 1:1, etc. 

13. There was no such thing as Churches in one 
place. There were "the Churches of Asia," 1 Cor. 
16:20; "the Churches of Judea," Gal. 1:22; "the 
Churches of Macedonia," 2 Cor. 8:1. 

14. The manifested unity of the Church as a token 
that Christ was sent from God, and that the world 
might believe, was designed and prayed for by Christ. 
John 17: 21. 

15. Such a thing as a world-church or national 
church is nowhere found in the New Testament. The 
Church is chosen out of the world. John 17:9 and 14. 

21 



COMPENDIUM 

1 6. The calling of the Church is a heavenly calling ; 
they are addressed as "Holy Brethren, partakers of 
the Heavenly calling/' Heb. 3:1. 

17. The amalgamation of the believers and unbe- 
lievers in the Church is to deceive the world and de- 
stroy the Church. "The Church is the temple of the 
living God." 2 Cor. 6: 15 and 16. 

18. Where the Church has the character of the 
Great House, with vessels of honor and vessels of dis- 
honor mixed together, the believer is commanded to 
purge himself from these vessels of dishonor. 2 
Tim. 2 : 20. 

19. Therefore, separation from evil in the Church 
is not schism. To walk with those who are of a pure 
heart is not schism, and to keep the ordinances as de- 
livered unto us is not schism. 1 Cor. 11:2. 

20. To "cause divisions and offences contrary to 
the doctrine which ye have learned" is schism. Rom. 
16:17. All separation, therefore, which destroys the 
unity of the body, as "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos," 
etc., is schism, and to be avoided. To take a name, 
therefore, either of a doctrine, as "baptism" and "2nd 
adventism" ; of a teacher, as "Wesley" or "Morrison," 
or of principles, as "Independents," "Congregation- 
alists," or "Methodists," etc., or of Church order, as 
"Presbyterians," or of a nation, as "Scotch," "Eng- 
lish," "Moravians," is schism, and rends the unity of 
the Church. 

21. It is commanded by the Head of the Church 
that every saint should hear and obey what "The 
Spirit saith to the Churches," Rev. 2:13; hence every 
believer has individual responsibility, as well as cor- 
porate, in the solemn worship of God. 

22. "The traditions of men," and the usages of the 
professing Church, are not binding on the consciences 

22 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

of believers when they are not supported by the Scrip- 
tures. Col. 2 : 8. 

23. The divisions of the Church of God into clergy 
and laity, or as the terms mean, "kleros," heritage, 
and "laos," people, is unscriptural. The whole Church 
are God's clergy or heritage. 1 Pet. 5:3. 

24. There is only one Lord and Master in the 
Church, and all believers are brethren. Matt. 23 : 8. 
It is the common appellation of all God's people; they 
are called brethren more than eighty times in the 
New Testament. 

25. There are two ordinances given by Christ to the 
Church, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Mark 16: 
16, and Luke 22 : 19-20. 

26. These ordinances were practiced after Pente- 
cost. Acts 2:41. Their mode and application are 
fully set forth in Scripture. Matt. 3 : 16; John 3 : 23 ; 
Acts 8 : 38 ; and 1 Cor. 1 1 : 23. 

2j. Baptism was the outward confession of the con- 
vert's faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. 
It was practiced immediately on a genuine confes- 
sion. See Acts 8 : 36, 9 : 18. 

28. The doctrine of Baptism is expounded in Rom. 
6, and Col. 2: 12, wherein is explained the believer's 
identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial 
and resurrection. 

29. The Holy Ghost, while he was in all ages and 
dispensations the quickening power of life, and the 
moving agency of prophecy — Gen. 1:2; Ps. 10:18; 
Peter 1 : 21 — yet, according to the promise of Christ, 
He was to come from Heaven as an abiding witness 
of the resurrection of Jesus to the right hand of the 
Father, as the Great Agent of conversion or of quick- 
ening of souls to life, as the indwelling witness of the 
sealing of God to redemption, and the power in the 

23 



COMPENDIUM 

Church of Ministry in its widest sense. John 8 : 39 
and 14 : 16-17 ; Acts 1:8; John 6 : 63 ; Eph. 2:1, 5, 6 ; 
Eph. 1 : 13, 14; and 1 Cor. 12: 7-8. 

30. "The first day of the week," or "Lord's day," 
Acts 20 : 7, Rev. 1 : 10, was kept by Christians as holy 
and for worship. It was never called the Sabbath; 
the term confounds the Jewish and Christian dispen- 
sations; one is the seventh, and the other is the first 
day of the week; the one, Sabbath, indicates rest on 
earth, which is broken up — the Lord's day, Resurrec- 
tion, "there remaineth a rest for the people of God," — 
by and by in Heaven. Heb. 3 : 9. 

31. To enforce the 4th Commandment on Christians 
is to put Christians under law — and "we are not under 
law but under grace." Rom. 6:15. These teachers, 
and their name is legion, are sharply rebuked for it 
by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:7, 11, Coloss 2:16. It is 
further to be observed that, like the teachers to Gala- 
tia, "neither do they themselves keep the law." Gal. 
6:13. 

32. "The law was given by Moses, but grace and 
truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17. The law 
has proved man impotent for all that is good; it ef- 
fected its purpose to prove that no flesh could be jus- 
tified in God's sight, and to give "the knowledge of 
sin." Rom. 3 : 20. The righteousness of the law is 
fulfilled in the believer who walks not after flesh but 
after the spirit. Rom. 8 : 4. 

33,. The only freedom from the power of sin and 
the law is to die to them. Every believer, in his union 
to Jesus at the right hand of God, unto whom he is 
joined by the Holy Spirit — 1 Cor. 6: 17 — is regarded 
by God as having died to both, and is in resurrection 
now united to another. Rom. 6 and 7: 1-5. 

34. To be under law and under grace is spiritual 

24 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

adultery — Rom. 7:1-2 — moreover, it negatives both. 
"For if by grace it is no more of works, otherwise 
grace is no more grace. But if it is of works it is no 
more grace, otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 
11:6. 

35. The law supposes man working and God re- 
ceiving; grace declares God is working and man re- 
ceiving; the first says do and live — Rom. 10:5 — the 
second, believe and live. Rom. 4 : 5, and John 3 : 14- 
16. "Faith worketh by love." Gal. 5 : 6. 

36. "The administration of the Sacrament" is no- 
where found in Scripture. "To break bread" and 
"the Lord's Supper" are the terms used. Acts 2 : 42, 
20:7, 1 Cor. 11:20. The terms used by priests tend 
to mystify. The words and usage of Scripture re- 
garding it simplify as well as edify. 

37. It was the practice of the first believers "to 
break bread" at least on the first day of the week. 
The Apostle's words, "As oft as ye eat this bread and 
drink this cup ye do show the Lord's death till He 
come," seems not to limit the frequency. 1 Cor. 
1 1 : 26. 

38. An assembly — this is the proper translation of 
the word, ekklesia, rendered Church — may be as few 
as two believers, or as many as can come together in 
one place. When an assembly came together for wor- 
ship, the breaking of bread was the twofold sign ; 
first, of the Lord's death; secondly, of the Unity of 
the Body. 1 Cor. 10:16-17. 

39. The presence of the Lord in their midst was 
promised to two or three as well as to two or three 
hundred. "For where two or three are gathered to- 
gether in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 
Matt. 18:20. 

40. Every believer whose outward walk was blame- 

25 



COMPENDIUM 

less and correct, claimed his right to sit around the 
table of the Lord, and thus manifest his membership 
in the body, i Cor. 12: 12-14. 

41. The Ruler and Guide in the assembly was the 
Holy Ghost, whose personal presence and authority 
was confessed, and whose divine assistance helped 
the infirmities of the saints to pray, and distributed 
gifts, according to his own will, among the members 
of the body thus gathered, as is set forth in 1 Cor. 
12:4-11. 

42. The assembly became the true school where 
God's ministry was raised; and particular instructions 
were given to neither to quench nor obstruct the oper- 
ations of the Holy Ghost, but the rather to encourage, 
to foster, and to draw out. It was expected under this 
order of the Holy Ghost that the Church would always 
be qualified to edify itself; and the Apostle complains 
of the Hebrews, 5:12-14. When for the time they 
ought to have been teachers they had need that one 
should teach them again what be the first principles of 
the oracles of God, and had become such as have 
need of milk, and not strong meat, etc. 

43. Each member was to desire spiritual gifts, but 
rather that he may prophesy, for in the exercise of this 
gift he edifieth the Church. 1 Cor. 14: 1-4. The Holy 
Ghost gave also diversity of gifts — 1st, Apostles ; 2nd, 
Prophets ; 3rd, Teachers ; after that, miracles, etc. 
1 Cor. 12 : 28. Also Evangelists and Pastors. Eph. 
4: 11-12. 

44. If the assembly of God in any place was meet- 
ing on the simple promises of Him who said, "Lo, I 
am with you always, even to the end of the age," the 
Holy Ghost would again exercise his prerogative and 
raise up among the saints the spiritual gifts needed, 
"till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 

26 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

unto a perfect measure of the stature of the fullness 
of Christ." Eph. 4:13. 

45. The hope of the Church is the second advent 
of Christ ; hence the attitude of the Church is "wait- 
ing for God's Son from Heaven." 1 Thess. 1 no. At 
which time the saints will receive their glorified bodies. 
"Our conversation is in Heaven, from whence also we 
look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall 
change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like 
unto his glorious body, according to the working 
whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto 
himself." Phil. 3:20, 21. 

46. The principle of true reformation is, "Cease to 
do evil and learn to do well." Is. 1 : 16, 17. To set 
up churches to supply the ruin of the Church is human 
presumption, and has resulted in the innumerable di- 
visions of dissent. 

47. When Israel had gone far into apostasy, they 
who had cried and sighed for the abominations did 
not attempt to build a new temple or set up a new 
order of their own invention, "but they that feared the 
Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord heark- 
ened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was 
written before Him for them that feared the Lord, 
and that thought upon His name ; and they shall be 
mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make 
up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth 
his own son that serveth him." Mai. 3 : 16, 17. 

48. The days we are fallen upon are very similar 
to the worst days under the Judges of Israel, "where 
every man did that which was right in his own eyes." 
Judges 17 :6. "And this is the comment of the young 
man Micah, a very sealous man who made himself an 
ephod and a teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons 
who became his priest;" and this is just the history of 
your "men of zeal, but not according to knowledge," 

27 



COMPENDIUM 

they invariably do that which is right in their own 
eyes, "and draw away disciples after them." 

49. The Reformation recovered the doctrine of 
"Justification by faith without the deeds of the Law." 
Rom. 3 : 28. And gave us the Bible. It was an un- 
doubted work of God to prepare men for the second 
coming of the Son of God, and to awake the wise 
virgins — Matt. 25 : 1-13 — but it never pretended to 
restore the true character of the Church of God. 

50. Dissent attempted it, and has failed, as witness 
her rival churches. The cause was, she never saw the 
unity of the Church of God, hence every attempt was 
schism, and therefore carnal. To accept the invita- 
tion of union with one of these rival efforts is to be a 
schismatic, and to add to the confusion. 1 Cor. 1 : 10. 

51. To cease from the evil practices of the profess- 
ing Church, whether under the name of Romish, An- 
glican, Scotch or Dissent, is a clear duty; to ack- 
nowledge every true believer in all of them as the 
members of the Body of Christ in that place, and 
therefore to seek to gather them in the Name of the 
Lord Jesus Christ as the assembly or Church of God 
is also a duty. 

52. The centre of union is the Lord's person ; the 
symbol of unity, the Lord's Supper; the Ruler of the 
assembly, the Holy Ghost; the members of Christ as- 
sembled, brethren ; the object, to break bread and drink 
wine in remembrance of Christ's death, according to 
his will; to wait on the Holy Ghost for divine assist- 
ance to "worship God in spirit and in truth" ; to help 
our infirmities and teach us how to pray. Rom. 8 : 26. 
"To sing with the spirit and with the understanding 
also." 1 Cor. 15 114. "To hear the word of God and 
to listen, if the Lord has aught to communicate either 
by doctrine, or exhortation, or teaching by the mouth 

28 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

of those who waiting on the Spirit of God "speak as 
the oracles of God." i Pet. 4:11. 

53. In the absence of such outward testimony to 
the unity of the body from all believers, it is the duty 
of two or three or more, if they can meet with such, 
to restore these scriptural practices, and without deny- 
ing the Church of God, but confessing its great sins, 
and departure from the faith once delivered unto the 
saints, to quietly enjoy such blessings as ever flow, 
even in the days of darkest apostasy, from the ap- 
proval of God ; happy in the thought that, though the 
candlestick is removed, nevertheless He who walks in 
the midst of them, as Lord over his own house, can 
say: "I have set before thee an open door, and 
no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, 
and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my 
name." Rev. 3:8. 

54. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do 
them" John 13: 17. 



29 



COMPENDIUM 



THE BIBLE. 

This book contains : The mind of God, the state of 
man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and 
the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, 
its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its 
decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe 
it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains 
light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort 
to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's 
staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the 
Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven 
opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its 
grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of 
God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, 
and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and 
prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of 
glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, 
will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered 
forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will 
reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle 
with its contents. 



30 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



GATHERED FRAGMENTS. 

"Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing 
be lost." John 6: 12. 

I once lived in Ps. 84 : 10 — latter part — and walked 
in Eph. 2 : 2, and my conversation was like Eph. 2 : 3. 

1 heard of a mansion being built for me at John 14: 

2 by one who lives at Eph. 2:3. I called at Matt. 11 : 
28, as my prospects at Rom. 3 : 10-19 were very bad. 
The house I sought for I found at 2 Cor. 5:1. The 
house has but one door, which I saw at John 10 : 9, and 
one knocker, which I saw at Matt. 14 : 17. 

When the 1 Thess. 4: 17 is fulfilled, I expect my 
home will be in Rev. 22 : 4-6. Rev. 5 : 9 is the song I 
will sing in that day. 

Sinner, you do not have to go to Heaven to be 
saved, but you have to be saved to go to Heaven : 
"Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, 
not according to our works, but according to his own 
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus 
before the world began." 2 Tim. 1 : 9. 

Neither do you have to do good works to be saved, 
but you have to be saved to do good works. "For 
by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of 
yourselves ; it is the gift of God ; not of works, lest 
any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9. 

In these perilous times we must beware of delusion, 
and keep clear of confusion. . . . The Bible never 
purposes or promises social or civic regeneration in 

3i 



COMPENDIUM 

this age. In this elective age, the work of Christian- 
ity is individual regeneration and separation from the 
great mass. Acts 15 : 14, 2 Cor. 6: 14-18 and 7: 1. 

The Lord is to come. This is a certainty ; no mere 
peradventure or conjecture. . . . He is coming sud- 
denly, like lightning, like a thief, like a snare, when 
men are saying "peace and safety." Matt. 24 : 26, 27, 
Rev. 16: 15, Luke 21 : 34-36, 1 Thess. 5 : 1-6. There- 
fore be patient and steadfast. He may come soon — 
very soon. How soon we know not. These are the 
last days. The world is growing old ; the night is fall- 
ing down ; the storm is rising. Be patient and stead- 
fast. Jas. 5 : 7-1 1. 

Fame is the trump of many a downfall. 

Confounded with wonder, distracted with amaze- 
ment, deluged with blessedness, bursting with joy, at 
the munificence, goodness, and power of Jesus, shall 
be our hearts, when once we come to the eternal shores, 
and leisurely think over what He has given us. 

Redemption at the beginning, and Canaan at the 
end, the wilderness comes between. Through the 
wilderness we have God with us, and for us, exercis- 
ing our hearts "To do us good at the latter end." 

God often denies His children what He gives to 
others, but He denies them in love. 

"Could we with ink the ocean fill, 

Were the earth of parchment made, 
Were every blade of grass a quill, 

And every man a scribe by trade : 
To write the love of Christ to man 

Would drain the ocean dry ! 
Nor could the roll contain the whole, 

Though stretched from sky to sky !" 

32 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

It is almost worth a wound to prove how tenderly 
He heals. 

i Cor. 15 : 23. We get here three resurrections : 

1. "Christ the first fruits." 

2. "They that are Christ's at His coming." 

3. "Then cometh the end." 

Sin is presented in Scripture in three characters — 
lawlessness, transgression, and hatred of God. 

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord 
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath 
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved : for 
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and 
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 
Rom. 10 : 9, 10. "Dost thou believe on the Son of 
God?" 

He is willing to save you. John 5 : 40. 
He is waiting to save you. 1 Tim. 2 : 4. 
He is ready to save you. 2 Cor. 6:2. 
He is mighty to save you. Is. 63 : 1. 
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt 
be saved." Acts 16:31. 

What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world 
and lose his own soul? 

Many a man is boasting of sinlessness of life and 
holiness who carries upon his face the grave of his 
wonderful claims. His uncrucified temper in the fam- 
ily, his greediness after money, his consuming lusts, 
best known to himself and God, proclaim to all that 
he is going through the world with a lie in his right 
hand. Seeking to preach the gospel to others, he 
knows full well it has not proved the power of God 
to deliver his own soul from the swinish lusts of 
mankind. 

33 



COMPENDIUM 

The less piety a church has, the more oysters and 
ice cream it takes to run it. So it is, and in a great 
many places the church has now the "supper room" 
instead of the "upper room." 

Men say that we need not expect Christians to see 
alike in this world, that we can't understand the Bible 
alike. Well, so long as we claim the right of our own 
opinions in these things, and follow the bent of our 
own perverted wills, rather than seek, above all things, 
to know and do the will of our blessed Lord, there 
will be many conflicting opinions among us. 

Faith enabled the Psalmist to sing : "Lead me in the 
truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my sal- 
vation." Unbelief says : "There is no salvation, and, 
if there were we can never know that it is ours." 

The more you have to do with Christ, the less you 
will value a creature's smile or fear his frown. 

When out of favor none know thee; when in favor 
thou dost not know thyself. 

God's Word is the best possible security; it is the 
unchangeable word of an unchangeable God. 

Till tried, we know not how little faith we have. 
Are we ready to say, I could have borne anything but 
this? Then let us remember that the greatest compli- 
ment God can pay us is to heat the furnace to the 
utmost. 

Believers have but one yoke to take. Christ says, 
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me," but there 
are four he is forbidden to take, namely : 

ist. Commercial "| 

2nd. Political I -ry , , 

3rd. Matrimonial f 4 y • 



4th. Religious 



34 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Not only is it true that God is as true as His word. 
It is also true that His word is as true as God. 

Humility is the secret of fellowship. 

Pride is the secret of divisions. 

Reality is the secret of power. 

He that hateth reproof erreth. 

Be not cast down in heart to hear that the world 
barketh at Christian strangers. 

It is not enough that one hold the truth, if the truth 
hold not him. 

The nearer a man is to God externally, if his soul 
has not living fellowship with Him, the worse he is. 
Judas was worse than the Pharasees ; the Pharasees 
than the Samaritans. Hence the profession of Chris- 
tianity, where there is not its living power, is the very 
place where the most terrible evil is to be looked for. 

The cause of division among God's people is because 
Christ is not the one universal central object of love 
and the one great and high bond of union. 

God's mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to 
great sinners, after great lengths of time; and then 
gives great favors and great privileges, and raises us 
up to great enjoyments in the great Heaven of the 
great God. As John Bunyan well says, "It must be a 
great mercy or no mercy; for little mercy will never 
serve my turn/' 

A great many believers walk upon the promises of 
God, even as a child upon weak ice, which they are 
afraid will crack under them, and leave them in the 
depth. 

The law says to the sinner, "Do this, and thou shalt 
live ;" but there is no power in the sinner to obey its 

35 



COMPENDIUM 

commands, and the effect of the command upon the 
sinner who sincerely tries to obey is to convince him 
of his powerlessness to obey. To bid the sinner for- 
sake his sins, leave the service of Satan, and you 
shall live, is like saying to a prisoner chained to the 
wall : "Arise, cast off your chains and depart from 
the dungeon, and you shall be free." The gospel, on 
the contrary, is God's good news of salvation, of life, 
of liberty, and all brought to man by the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Eternal praise and glory be to Him now and 
forever. 

"Oh, I am my Beloved's, 
And my Beloved's mine, 
He brought a poor, vile sinner 
Into his house of wine !" 

Be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the 
proud. 

It is easier to imbibe false notions than the truth, 
for the simple reason that truth always displaces or 
condemns something in us, whilst error, on the con- 
trary, flatters some part of our evil nature. A man 
who in his heart imbibes error is a man in whom some 
sinful disposition remains un judged. 

The passover was the memorial of the deliverance 
out of Egypt of Israel. The Lord's Supper is the 
memorial not only of our deliverance, but of the love 
of Him who has delivered us. 

There is but one satisfying object in earth or in 
Heaven, and to that object you are told constantly to 
look — it is Christ. 

Imagine a man sent of God to preach Christ and 
proclaim the eternal damnation of those who neglect 
His message — imagine such a man stopping to higgle 

36 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

and chaffer about his salary before he will proclaim 
the message which the Lord has sent him to declare. 
Imagine a minister running a modern church fair, 
with its raffles, grab-bags, auctions and lotteries, and 
laughing and cracking jokes with a crowd of people, 
when he really believes two-thirds of his company 
around him are liable to be in the eternal torments of 
hell before daylight next morning. 

They are never disappointed who have learned to 
wait only on God and to expect nothing from man. 

The fairest thing in the world's sight are the foulest 
in the sight of God ; to wit, the world's wisdom and 
the world's religion. 

Labor not for the meat which perisheth. 

If we were naked and open to all the world as we 
are to God, and in some measure to ourselves, how 
loathsome and abominable, what monsters should we 
appear ! 

In Matthew 23 : 8, Christ told His disciples : "Be 
ye not called Rabbi; for one is your Master, and all 
ye are brethren." But now we hear the titles of 
"Moderator," "President" of associations, conferences, 
etc. ; "Reverend," "Doctors of Divinity" ; titles and 
names of officers without any foundation in the scrip- 
tures. Who ever heard in the Acts of the Apostles of 
the Rev. Mr. Barnabas, of Antioch, or the Rev. Mr. 
Paul, D.D., Baptist Minister of Ephesus? Have we 
any reason from God's work to infer, even, that any 
of the early laborers in the church of Christ bore any 
of those titles, or conformed to those which are now 
among the clerical customs so prevalent? 

Tell me, where be those now that so lately loved 
and hugged the world? Nothing remaineth of them 

37 



COMPENDIUM 

but dust and worms ; observe what those men were; 
what those men are. They are like thee ; they did eat, 
drink, laugh, and led merry days, and in a moment 
slipt into hell. Here, their flesh is food for worms ; 
there their souls are fuel for fire, till they shall be 
joined in an unhappy fellowship, and be cast into 
eternal torments ; where they were once companions 
in sin, can be hereafter partners in punishment. 

No child of Adam has a right to anything from God 
save the wages of sin. Justice, apart from grace in 
Christ's cross, must allot to every sinner hell for his 
wages and portion. If the sinner is to have eternal 
life, he must have it as a free gift from God. Alas ! 
that thousands of sinners who hear the gospel will 
not have it, because they are too proud to be saved 
on God's terms of pure grace. 

In the days of "Moderation" in the Church of Scot- 
land, a preacher in the morning said : "If virtue were 
to appear upon the earth incarnate, ravished by her 
beauty, men would fall down and worship her." In 
the evening a servant of Christ, occupying the same 
pulpit, during his discourse said : "Virtue incarnate 
did come to earth, and men's cry was 'Away with 
Him, crucify Him.' " 

The days are growing evil ; more so as the end 
approaches. Our Lord is coming! Soon it may — 
and I believe will — be, and then the glad transition. 
Oh, how it thrills one's soul to hear these words : 
"Behold, the Bridegroom comes!" 

My soul doth magnify the Lord. 

The claim of "holiness" or "salification," as 
made by many in the sense that they are without sin, is 
utterly contrary to the scriptures, and make manifest 

38 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

that the soul is in darkness and away from God. "If 
we say we have no sin [present tense] we deceive 
ourselves, and the truth is not in us." I Jno. i : 8. But 
the result of walking in the light is a deep sense of 
our own sinfulness, as the experience of the saints of 
all ages proved. See Job 42 ; Is. 6 ; Dan. 10 ; Rom. 7. 
But the same light that reveals our sinfulness reveals 
also the blood that cleanses. 1 Jno. 1:17. This 
leaves us not boasting of our holiness or sinlessness, 
as is ever the case with those professing holiness, but 
glorifying in Him who redeemed us. 

When God would teach mankind His name, 
He calls Himself the great "I AM," 
And leaves a blank, believers may 
Supply those things for which they pray. 

If there were no earthly advantage to be derived 
from belonging to the church, the membership rolls 
would be much smaller than they are now. 

When the clouds hang thick and heavy, it is hard 
to believe the sun shines just the same, even though 
we may not see it. 

The man who trusts his own heart is a fool. He 
who trusts God is wise. 

Faith counts on what God is, spite of what I am, or 
have done, and God always honors faith, for He likes 
to be trusted. All the resources of love, grace, and 
glory are open to the one who can say, "Lord, I be- 
lieve." 

To deny self is one of the first lessons of Chris- 
tianity. 

Plain simplicity is the best spirit for an heir of 
Heaven. 

39 



COMPENDIUM 

However moral and religious a man may become, he 
can never attain peace with God. He may be well 
pleased with himself and yet deep down in his heart 
he knows he is a guilty sinner. Conscience will con- 
tinue to cry out against him, and he has nothing with 
which he can really satisfy it. 

Beware of proverbial sayings, as, for instance, al- 
most everybody will accept the proverb : "All the 
world loves a lover." It is not so; the greatest lover 
is God as revealed in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, 
and yet all the world does not love God. 

The impatience of the flesh can never hasten God's 
time. 

Is there anything in this world like knowing that, 
without a single moment's notice, one is ready for 
the presence of God — redeemed by the precious blood 
of Christ? What rest ! 

If you want to be wretched, look within, in a vain 
attempt to discover something good down in the sink 
of iniquity, called the human heart, which God has 
described as "deceitful above all things." 

If you want to be distracted and fearful, look around 
upon the world that "lieth in the wicked one," and is 
full of unrest, and care, and disappointment. 

If you want to be peaceful and happy, look up, and 
by faith see Jesus, who, having put away sin by the 
sacrifice of Himself, now appears in the presence of 
God for us and in His own time will come again to 
receive us unto Himself. 

Which of us can be kept near to Christ without some 
thorn in the flesh. 

Strange that, in the families of God's own people 
nowadays, His instituted rule is exactly inverted, and 

40 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

first, the children lead the mother and the wife rules 
the husband. Nothing but evil can accrue from such 
a state of things. 

God is the author of our opportunities : "Behold I 
have set before thee an open door." God is the pre- 
server of our privileges : "Behold I have set before 
thee an open door and no man can shut it." 

Jesus was not popular. The multitude might fol- 
low Him for a moment, because His ministry stood 
connected in their judgment, with the loaves and 
fishes, which met their need ; but they were just as 
ready to cry, Away with Him ! as Hosanna to the Son 
of David ! 

It is due to Christ that the one who trusts in Him 
should reap all the benefits of His finished work. This 
is only the righteousness of God, and the knowledge 
of it imparts stable peace to the soul. 

Many choose to be great rather than humble, for- 
getting that only they who choose to be humble are 
truly great. 

He that would attend to the prosperity of his own 
soul, must with Jesus retire from the multitude. 

A fool strives, labors to the last to shun the truth; 
strives, labors to the last to damn himself. 

A child was praying one Saturday night, and think- 
ing of the coming day, said : "Oh, God, let the minis- 
ter to-morrow say something I can understand." 

If all the shalls in Scripture meant perhaps, and all 
the haths meant simply hope to have, and all the ares 
depended on an if, I might well doubt; but since our 
Savior God means what He says, and cannot lie, I 
trust His faithful Word, and know that I shall surely 

4i 



COMPENDIUM 

dwell throughout eternity with Him whose love led 
Him for me to die, e'en Christ Himself. 

Read carefully John 3 : 36 and 5 : 24 and Acts 13 : 
38, 39- 

When Israel murmured, the serpent's bite was the 
answer. When Israel confessed, God's grace was the 
answer. 

The place of power is the place of separation to 
God. 

The Scriptures give four names to Christians, taken 
from the four cardinal graces so essential to man's 
salvation : Saints, for their holiness ; believers, for 
their faith ; brethren, for their love ; disciples, for their 
knowledge. 

If you are not warming the world, the world is chill- 
ing you. 

No religious work that is built about a man, and 
that is subject to his domination, whether he be the 
Pope, or John Smith, or Dowie, is a Scriptural work 
whatever be the signs and wonders and pretentious 
claims and consummate egotism that attend it. 

We are rocked upon the bosom of infinite love, and 
this is our lullaby, our sweet, dread-dispelling assur- 
ance, "as He is, so are we in this world." 

When the professing church will neither stand nor 
understand sound doctrine, God makes a revolution, 
and the apostate church goes into bankruptcy, with 
the devil as a receiver. 

As waters in motion are purest, so saints in afflic- 
tion are holiest. 

It is not necessary to compromise or to do wrong 
to have an influence; if you live right, walk in the 

42 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

old paths and keep the blessing of God on your soul, 
you will certainly have an influence. 

The law and the gospel are two keys. The law is 
the key that shuts up men under condemnation; the 
gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them 
out. 

No one gave Noah credit for being long-headed, 
but it is not the simple who foreseeth the evil and 
hideth himself. 

See that thou have love for all ; but familiarity. 

A man may have the mightiest of minds and a 
memory stored with all that human intelligence can 
grasp ; and yet, if he have no real, personal knowledge 
of Christ, the new birth, repentance, faith, holiness, he 
will make shipwreck of himself after all. 

The path of faith is the path of life ; it is the "path 
that no vulture's eye hath seen." 

Religion is the best armor that a man can have, but 
the worst cloak. 

Grace meets the needy one just where he is, and 
as he is. 

The path of the cross is the way to the glory. 

It matters not who are our accusers if Christ be 
our advocate. 

To ensure your eternal damnation, my unsaved 
friend, you need do no heinous sin. You have only 
to go quietly on as you are, neglecting salvation, and 
your place in hell is sure. 

How sweet to work all day for God, and then lay 
down at night beneath His smile. 

There is no darkness so great as that which follows 
rejected light. 

43 



COMPENDIUM 

The way to Heaven is a bloody way ; the scarlet 
thread reaching from Genesis to Revelation. 

People may think the world has changed, but it still 
has that ancient murderer for its god and prince, and 
its malignity toward the Lord's people, especially when 
they come to be sifted out from their present adulter- 
ous intimacy with the world, will again head up into 
an intensity to which there has been no parallel in the 
past. 

Dear fellow believer, do not let your testimony be- 
come neutralized by prevailing worldliness, and 
abounding iniquity. Remember these are the "last 
days" and "perilous times," so be loyal at all costs to 
the Lord. With ardent love for, and unfeigned obe- 
dience to, the Word of God. 

The three appearings : 
Sin bearer. Heb. 9 : 26. 
Intercessor. Heb. 9 : 24. 
Rewarder. Heb. 9:28. 

Charles H. Spurgeon was never ordained. He was 
content, and his people were content, with the evi- 
dences of his call to the ministry which God gave him 
in the conversion of sinners under his preaching. He 
regarded the human laying on of hands and ordain- 
ing as superfluous. 

Let us be diligent, but in pure service; occupying 
talents, but occupying them for a rejected Master, 
looking for nothing from the world that cast Him out, 
but counting on everything in His own presence by 
and by. 

One thousand million souls, two-thirds of the human 
race — heathen, pagan, Moslem — have yet to see a 
Bible or hear the Gospel message. 

44 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

The gift of the power of choice is enough to make 
men tremble ; what an awful perdition to those who 
use it wrongfully. 

The doctrine of election was never intended to be 
used as a pillar for easy-going professors to fall asleep 
upon. 

If we would stand, Christ must be our foundation ; 
if we would be safe, Christ must be our sanctuary. 

The Church does not tread in Israel's path. She 
is a stranger where Israel is at home. Her citizen- 
ship is in Heaven, and not on earth. The saints are 
the sons of God, and the world knoweth them not, 
even as it knew not Christ. They stand at the end 
of the ages — world i Cor. 2 : 1 1 — dead and risen with 
Christ. Jesus was given no place on earth ; and His 
own, as with Him, do but sojourn here, separated, in 
principle, from all around them. 

"They that are in the flesh cannot please God." 
Rom. 8 : 8. This is a solemn and sweeping sentence. 
A man out of Christ is "in the flesh," and such a man 
cannot please God. He may be most religious, most 
moral, most amiable, most benevolent, a loving hus- 
band, an affectionate father, a most excellent master, 
a generous friend, a liberal giver, a genial companion, 
a patron of the poor, upright and honorable in all his 
dealings ; he may be an eloquent preacher and a popu- 
lar writer, and all the while not be in Christ — not have 
surrendered himself to Christ — but "in the flesh," and 
therefore cannot please God. 

Thou canst not be in the highest place till thou hast 
been in the lowest. 

If thou wilt withdraw thyself from superfluous talk 
and useless visits, as also from hearkening after news 

45 



COMPENDIUM 

and rumors, thou shalt find sufficient leisure to medi- 
tate on the things of God. 

God is satisfied to the utmost, and therefore can 
save sinners to the utmost. 

On all sides we see evidences of an ending dispen- 
sation. Soon our Lord will come, we know not how 
soon, for His waiting and watching saints. 

There is no honor like a relation to Christ ; no 
riches like the graces of Christ ; no learning like the 
knowledge of Christ ; and no person like the servants 
of Christ. 

Sorrow for sin in itself is not repentance; but a 
godly sorrow for sin, wrought in the heart by the 
Holy Spirit, produces or accompanies repentance. The 
particular sin, a view of which is calculated to pro- 
duce this sorrow, is ill treatment of Christ. See Acts 
2:36, 39- 

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 
Whatever you may be in the eyes of the world, in the 
sight of God you are a sinner and nothing but a 
sinner, and until you see yourself to be only that, you 
will never have Christ as your Savior. 

Many are preaching what the people want, not what 
the world needs. The world does not change its 
wants. It is still true the Jews want a sign, and the 
Gentile wants philosophy, but what they both need is 
Christ crucified and resurrected — the only thing which 
can save. Therefore preach Christ. 

In great national troubles, such as war, famine, pes- 
tilence, floods, scourges, the good suffer with the 
wicked, but the eyes of the Lord are over the right- 
eous, and His ears are open to their prayers. When 

46 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

going through the greatest sufferings He is often pre- 
paring them for the greatest usefulness. 

The gospel of God addresses man as a sinner. Not 
after we get to be good men and women, but "when 
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He "came 
not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." 

God is righteous now in saving the sinner. By and 
by He will be righteous in judging the sinner. 

Truth does not rest upon the testimony of men, but 
upon the Word of God. "Thy Word is truth." 

"His love is my story, His love is my song, 
To mansions in glory He bears me along. 

His mercies restore me, 

His banner is o'er me, 

His rest is before me, 
I rest in His love — His love is my song." 

Wicked men stumble at a straw in their way to 
Heaven, and climb over great mountains in their way 
to hell. 

God does not regard sin as any less sin because of 
the fashion of it. Sins are wicked works, whether 
politely dressed or in naked hideousness. 

He who is born but once dies twice. He who is 
born twice can but die once. There is a second death, 
to escape it we must have a second birth. 

What the sinner needs is Christ; what the saint 
needs is Christ. The sinner needs Him in order to 
be saved ; the saint has been saved by Him, but needs 
Him for daily food and drink. John 6. 

Christ preached a model sermon to two men on 
the road to Emmaus, "and beginning at Moses and 

47 



COMPENDIUM 

all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the 
Scriptures, the things concerning Himself." 

The Lord Jesus is "the Way," without which there 
is no going; "the Truth," without which there is no 
knowing; and "the Life," without which there is no 
living. 

In Lot we see how near a man can be to damnation, 
and yet be saved ; in his wife we see how near one 
may be to salvation, and yet be lost. 

No new inspiration can be expected. The teaching 
of the Holy Ghost is always that which corresponds 
with the written Word, and must be tested by it. 

Faith makes a Christian ; life proves a Christian ; 
and death crowns a Christian. 

The perfection of the perfectionists is to know his 
imperfections. 

The first step in the Christian course is into the 
fountain opened. 

I have tried the Gospel, I have put it to the proof. 
I know what it is and what it can do. Tell me that 
food does not strengthen the weak ; tell me that water 
does not refresh the weary ; tell me that light does not 
cheer the disconsolate, and then you may tell me that 
the Gospel does not help when all other help fails; 
and then you may tell me that the Gospel is not the 
thing above all other things with which men can af- 
ford to part. Men might better afford to give up the 
sun than quench that light which was brought from 
Heaven, that light which cheers the home and dispels 
the darkness of the tomb. 

"You know," said a Christian lady to a girl whom 

she found one day ill in bed, "that Jesus died for us." 

"Yes," replied the feeble voice, "but I know some- 

4 8 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

thing better than that, I know that He died for 
me." 

The Red Sea is the death and resurrection of Jesus 
and of His people. 

Some preachers at Olney were discussing the doc- 
trine of Election. An old Christian woman said, "I 
have long settled that point, for if God had not chosen 
me before I was born, I am sure He would never 
have chosen me afterwards." Yet the Lord's own 
command is "Preach the Gospel," not election, "to 
every creature." Election is for the household of 
faith (I Thess. i 4) ; the Gospel is to the world (John 

3:16). 

If blasts of ridicule and showers of abuse dash in 
the face of the Christian, he is to take it as silently 
as the bronze figure takes the tempest. That which 
cuts him off from man joins him more closely to the 
Lord. 

There is an apostolic succession, my brother, but it 
is not continued by the laying on of hands. * 

The human heart has no ability whatever to resist 
the influence of "great signs and wonders" put forth 
in favor of the most deadly error. There is but one 
thing which can fortify the soul and enable it to resist 
the devil and his deadly delusions, and v that is the 
Word of God. To have the precious truth of God 
treasured up in the heart, is the divine secret of pres- 
ervation from error, even though backed up by the 
most astounding miracles. 

We are sinners by corruption of the heart, and it 
is a fatal mistake to suppose that we are so only by 
the commission of sin. Our sin does not then begin 
to exist, when it is brought into action, but to appear ; 

49 



COMPENDIUM 

and what was always manifest to God, is now become 
manifest to ourselves and others. 

I used to hold Christ with one hand and work with 
the other. Now I let Christ hold me, and so I have 
both hands to work with. 

Life is a book, of which we have but one edition. 

The cross shuts us up to grace or judgment. 

The Lord Jesus is the foundation stone, precious and 
tried, tried by the experience of saints of all ages. 

Wilmot, the infidel, when dying, laid his trembling 
emaciated hand upon the sacred volume, and exclaimed 
solemnly and with unwonted energy, "The only ob- 
jection against this Book is a bad life." 

The life of Christ exhibits divinity. 

Humility is the secret of fellowship ; pride the secret 
of division. 

He is "altogether lovely." 

We are not saved through what we do for Christ, 
but through what He did for us. 

Because the sinless Saviour died 
My sinful soul is counted free; 

For God, the Just, is satisfied 

To look on HIM and pardon me. 

The moment any one believes on Christ he obtains 
eternal life and the forgiveness of sins. 

There are many leaning upon the arm of Christ, 
yet it is strong enough for all. There are many 
standing upon the foundation He laid, yet there is 
room for you. 

In effect, Moses said, as he weighed the one against 
the other, "The reproach of Christ is worth more to 

SO 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

me than the treasures of Egypt/' He made this choice 
because he looked not with fleshly eye upon the tem- 
poral things which are seen, but with the spiritual eye 
on the eternal things, which are otherwise unseen 
(Heb. 11:26 and 2. Cor. 4:17, 18). 

God calls His people His jewels, His treasures, His 
glory, His portion. He calls wicked men dogs, vipers, 
swine, briars and thorns. God delights in the society 
of the saints ; so should you. 

Love is the highest attribute of God and the most 
enjoyable activity. 

The Christian owes everything to God. All that 
we are, and all that we have, and all that we hope 
to be in this world and the next, belongs to our 
Heavenly Father. It is He that has made us, and 
not we ourselves. "Everything good comes from God; 
everything good goes to God." We should never for- 
get that our hours of recreation belong to God, and 
that we must at last render an account as to how we 
spend them. 

God is for us in the Son of His love. 

Forgiveness is the act of God towards the sinner. 

Never once was He led gently. He was led into 
the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He was 
led by men filled with wrath to the brow of the hill, 
that they might cast Him down headlong. He was led 
away to Annas ; led away to Caiaphas ; led into the 
council of the elders and chief priests and scribes ; 
led to Pontius Pilate, and into the hall of judgment. 
And then He, our Lord Jesus Christ, was led as a 
sheep to the slaughter ; led away to be crucified ! 
Verily, "His way was rougher and darker than mine.'' 

When Mr. Whitefield was in the zenith of his 

5i 



COMPENDIUM 

popularity, Lord Clare, who knew that his influence 
was considerable, applied to him, by letter, requesting 
his assistance at Bristol at the ensuing general election. 
To this request Whitefield replied, that in general 
elections he never interfered; but he would earnestly 
exhort his lordship to use great diligence to make 
his own calling and election sure. 

Christ bruised the serpent's head and with death 
(Satan's sword), He conquered him who had the 
power of death. 

Daniel Webster said, the most important thoughts 
he ever had were those of his own responsibility to 
God. 

It is only when the sacred light of truth has aroused 
man's drowsy powers that he sees the Hand Divine. 

Amidst the upheavings of a restless world, the Rock 
of Truth stands firm. The notions of men are con- 
stantly changing, but "the foundation of God standeth 
sure." The truth, the word, the promises, the cove- 
nant, of an unchanging God are as sure as He is faith- 
ful. 

I have nothing in this world, and no inheritance 
to leave behind me. Yet am I not sad. Though poor 
here, I shall be abundantly rich in Heaven. And 
even now I am a King's son, and heir of God, and a 
joint heir with Jesus Christ. 

To remove doubts concerning the Bible read the 
Bible. 

One single moment spent without prayer is a lost 
moment. The habit of prayer may be so acquired 
that we pray without effort. 

When Christ was praying, Peter was sleeping ; when 
Christ was submitting, Peter was fighting. 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

When a man becomes a Christian, he has a source of 
comfort and strength which never fails him. 

The true end of life is to know the life that never 
ends. 

Faith ever owns the people of God in their privi- 
leges and place with Him. Satan seeks to lower and 
take these away, and self-righteousness and unbelief 
join him in this. True service to the Lord will seek 
the establishment of God's people in grace. From 
this, when the object is Christ, ability to walk in 
unworldly ways will flow. 

Many spirits are abroad in the world, and the cre- 
dentials they display are precious gifts of mind, beauty, 
richness, depths, originality. Christian, look hard at 
them, in silence ; — and ask for the print of the nails. 

What God says : "When I see the blood, I will pass 
over you" (Ex. 12:13). He does not say, when I 
see your morality, I will pass over you ; or, when I 
see your religion; or, when I see you doing the best 
you can, or, when you pray earnestly ; but God does 
say, "When I see the blood I will pass over you/' 

In order to enjoy the Divine presence, there must 
not only be a divine title, but the divine nature ; and 
the unrenewed man has neither the one nor the other. 
He has no right to the place, and no capacity to enjoy 
it. A beggar in rags would be sadly out of place and 
uncomfortable in the queen's drawing room; how 
much more unrenewed nature in Heaven. 

The Word of God furnishes us with a divinely 
written creed. 

1. God is my Father. 

2. Christ is my Saviour. 

3. The Holy Spirit is my Teacher. 

4. The blood of Christ for my conscience. 

53 



COMPENDIUM 

5. The Person of Christ for my heart. 

6. The Word of God a lamp to my feet. 

7. The Coming of the Lord my hope. 

Shall we accept of salvation through the work which 
He has wrought, and not long after deeper intimacy 
of communion with Himself, and more complete sub- 
jection to His authority in all things? 

The drying up of a single tear has more of honest 
fame than shedding seas of gore. 

In preaching, let me study not to draw applause 
but groans from my hearers. 

I believe that wherever guidance is honestly and 
simply sought it is certainly given. As to our discern- 
ment of it depends upon the measure in which we 
are walking in the light. 

I have been crucified for none. Paul would not 
suffer the Christians to say : "I am of Paul ; I am of 
Peter," but "I am Christ's." How, then, can the fol- 
lowers of Christ call themselves after the name of a 
poor man of corruption, such as I am ? Let us blot out 
all party names and call ourselves Christians. I am 
and will be no man's master. If my heart did not 
drive me to work for the sake of the Man who died 
for me, the world could not offer me money enough 
for writing a book or interpreting any portion of the 
Bible. The world shall not reward my work ; the 
world is too mean and too poor to do it. 

The happiest, sweetest, tenderest homes are not 
those where there have been no sorrow, but those 
which have been overshadowed w T ith grief, and where 
Christ's comfort was accepted. 

There is not a sadder place on earth than the death 
chamber of a successful man of the world, who has 

54 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

secured all that the world can ever give, and in dying 
must leave all his good things behind him and go into 
eternity to be poor forever! 

God must be first in everything, else He would no 
longer be God. 

The way to Heaven is as free as the way to hell. 

Charity does not oblige us to think any man good, 
because Christ says "there is none good." 

The law says to the sinner, "Do this and thou shalt 
live" ; but there is no power in the sinner to obey 
its commands, and the effect of the command upon 
the sinner who sincerely tries to obey is to convince 
him of his powerlessness to obey. To bid the sinner 
forsake his sins, leave the service of Satan, and you 
shall live, is like saying to a prisoner chained to 
the wall, Arise, cast off your chains, depart from the 
dungeon, and you shall be free. The gospel, on the 
contrary, is God's good news of salvation, of life, of 
liberty, and all brought to helpless man by the Lord 
Jesus Christ. Eternal praise and glory be to Him now 
and foreyer. 

The salvation of sinners has always been connected 
with blood-shedding and death. The reason is obvious, 
for "the wages of sin is death." The law of holiness 
and truth is, that the soul that sinneth shall die. 
The only way, therefore, of putting away sin, was by 
death; and that no sinful man could die for another 
is evident, because he must die for himself. The 
Son of God, on whom death had no claim, was able 
to die for others ; and He, in matchless grace, died for 
us, the just for the unjust, and thus a perfect and 
eternal salvation was completed for man. 

A man may profess all the learning of the schools ; 
he may bask in the most brilliant light that science 

55 



COMPENDIUM 

can pour upon his understanding and his pathway ; he 
may garnish his name with all the honors which fel- 
low mortals can heap upon him ; but if there is the 
breadth of a hair between him and Jesus — if he is 
not in Christ and Christ is not in him — if he has not 
believed on the name of the only begotten Son of 
God, he is involved in death and darkness. 

Life is a thread. Suspended by that thread the soul 
hangs over eternity, and God hath appointed the day, 
hour, and moment when the thread shall be cut. 

All revealed truth from the "in" in Genesis to the 
"Amen," closing the Bible is intended to act upon 
us in sanctifying power. Never neglect, therefore, any 
part of the sacred volume for favorite books or sub- 
jects. 

We do not say, we are so cold that we must wait 
till we grow warm, before we come near the fire. 
The genial glow draws us close to it. And the love 
of God likewise draws the sinner, cold as he is, to 
God. 

God's elect is a title of dignity and privilege, ap- 
plicable exclusively to the Christian ; is rank and privi- 
lege, not deliverance from perdition, primarily ap- 
plied to Christ. 

God's religion is the thanksgiving and outpouring of 
a full heart in gratitude for what He has done once 
for all by Jesus Christ. 

The passover was the memorial of the deliverance 
out of Egypt for Israel. The Lord's Supper is the 
memorial not only of our deliverance, but of the love 
of Him who has delivered us. 

Soon as my soul I trusted 
To Jesus and His blood, 

56 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

The Holy Spirit entered 
And I was born of God. 

The cause of division among God's people is be- 
cause Christ is not the one universal central object 
of love and the one great and high bond of union. 

that men would praise the Lord ! 

We can get life and happiness only in Christ. Apart 
from Him, all is death and misery. There is nothing 
real, nothing solid, but Christ. 

1 will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect 
unto Thy ways. 

Men talk what is in them. If their minds are full 
of business and politics, their words will show it ; 
if they are occupied with froth and vanity, with 
fashion and folly, the words they say will give evi- 
dence of it. A man cannot shake off himself, his 
words will contain the very essentials of his existence. 
The man who has nothing to say for the Lord, knows 
little about the Lord. "Out of the abundance of the 
heart the mouth speaketh." He who would speak 
for God must be rilled with divine thoughts. "Let 
the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wis- 
dom." That word shall make you wise unto salva- 
tion through faith, and from its fullness you shall 
pour forth blessings to others, as you proclaim the 
wonderful words of God. 

Saved we may be through the rich aboundings of 
divine mercy; and through the atoning virtues of a 
Saviour's blood; but shall we rest satisfied with being 
saved by Christ and not seek, in some feeble measure, 
to walk in Him and live for Him? 

The whole of our relationship with God upon the 
ground of the old man is closed in the cross, and then 

57 



COMPENDIUM 

in a risen Christ all is begun afresh in perfect blessing 
in the power of the deliverance in which we have been 
brought in Christ. 

The world never gives you a thing without your giv- 
ing up something of Christ for it. I believe you have 
to buy every bit of worldliness you get, and to pay 
very dear for it, too. 

Build your nest upon no tree here ; for you see 
God hath sold the forest to death; and every tree 
whereupon we would rest is ready to be cut down, 
to the end we may flee and mount up, and build upon 
the rock. There is less sand in your glass now than 
there was yesternight ; this span length of ever-posting 
time will soon be ended ; but the greater is the mercy 
of God, the more years you get to advise upon what 
terms and upon what conditions you cast your soul 
into the huge gulf of never-ending eternity. 

What is at the bottom of restlessness with us is, 
wanting to be somewhere or somewhat the Lord does 
not want us to be. 

When Peter meant his best, he found out what a 
wicked heart he had. When he did his worst he 
found out what a blessed heart Christ had. 

The standard of our walk gets its real power and 
blessedness when once we see we are no longer in 
the flesh, but are seen in Christ before God. 

Just as surely as the first Adam was turned out 
of Paradise the last Adam has come in. The Holy 
Spirit tells me Christ has been accepted before God 
as my life and righteousness. 

The resurrection of Christ is the standing witness 
that the Christian's judgment is past, and that the 
world's judgment is coming. 

58 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

We are only sure of the truth when we retain the 
very language of God which contains it. 

The world got its wisdom by the fall, and while it 
values very highly what it bought so dearly it cannot 
revoke nor remedy the judgment for sin. 

James and John said, "Give me a place in the king- 
dom." Paul, "That I may win Christ." 

The practical relief to your soul is always the ex- 
tent of your confession. 

You cannot be saved unless you meet with a change 
of heart. Signing a card and telling what church 
you want to join won't do it. The old man must die 
and have a burial. 

Truth has been out of fashion since man changed 
his robe of fadeless light for a garment of faded 
leaves. 

Noah built and voyaged alone. His neighbors 
laughed at his strangeness and perished in style. 

Abraham wandered and worshipped alone. The 
Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed 
the fashion, and fed the flames. 

Daniel dined and prayed alone. Elijah sacrificed 
and witnessed alone. Jeremiah prophesied and wept 
alone. Jesus loved and died alone. 

Dr. Johnson, the moralist, well known as the Eng- 
lish lexicographer, the pillars of whose character were 
justice, truth and virtue, looked with fearing appre- 
hension to the future judgment, until he beheld the 
propitiatory sacrifice of Christ as his only hope before 
God — then exclaimed he to his medical attendant : 
"Dear doctor, believe a dying man ! There is no 
salvation but in the Lamb of God." 

The preacher of the gospel, be he ever so faithful 

59 



COMPENDIUM 

in holding up the clear truth of God's word, and 
in warning sinners to flee from the wrath to come, 
if he is not in line with the modern methods and sys- 
tems, is set aside as "no good" ; while on the other 
hand the preacher who conforms to the system and 
draws the money to his church, though he is so rotten 
in his theology that he is more of an infidel than a 
Christian, is the popular man. If a preacher is a 
"great worker" on the popular lines, it seems to make 
ample amends for his want of daily walking with 
God and soundness of faith. 

Seven Voices of Jesus : 

Shepherd's — "Follow me," Jno. 10:27. 

Master's — "Occupy," Luke 19:13. 

Saviour's— "Come unto Me," Matt. 11:28. 

Teacher's— "Learn of Me/' Matt. 11:29. 

Bridegroom's — "Open to Me," Songs of Solomon 

5:2. 

Friend's — "I will sup with Him," Rev. 3 :20. 
Physician's — "Wilt thou be made whole ?" Jno. 5 :6. 

The strong are prone to despise the weak ; the 
weak to judge the strong. But strong or weak, we 
shall all have to give an account of our behavior one 
towards another, before the judgment-seat of Christ. 
Read Rom. 14. 

The truth is the exact description of what is.- God 
is. Christ is the truth. He, and He only, there- 
fore, can reveal God. Hence to avoid Him, is to 
remain ever in ignorance of God. 

A man who makes self his chief aim is vile. 

Withered must be every gourd, torn away e v ery 
prop ; everything of which we would say, this same 
shall comfort me. 

60 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

It is utterly impossible that we can advance in the 
divine life unless we yield ourselves without reserve 
to the Lord. 

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the 
land ; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests 
bear rule by their means ; and my people love to have 
it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jer. 
5:30- 

A minister who is a man pleaser is a soul destroyer. 

There is a straight line running through life. On 
one side of it is the wrong side, on the other is the 
right side; everything is on one side or the other. 
There is no such thing as almost right. Almost right 
is always wrong; almost good is bad; almost true is 
an untruth — a lie — and almost saved is lost. 

In primitive times believers in Christ were desig- 
nated "Saints," because sanctified by the blood of 
Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost; God's 
"household" as belonging to the one family of faith ; 
"Brethren," because united together as children of 
the same Father. The name unto which we are 
gathered is the name of Jesus. To meet in any other 
is to dishonor the Name that is above every name. 
This leaves no room for the multitudinous sects now 
in existence. To substitute any creed or form of 
church government as a basis of worship is to intro- 
duce schism and is sin in God's sight. 

Christ always makes us better than he finds us. 
He finds us a lump of dunghill dirt, a sink of sin and 
uncleanness, but he purgeth us from dead works, and 
builds us up a holy temple unto God. 

We reproach our past experience, if we distrust God 
for the future. He hath delivered — He doth deliver 
— and He will yet deliver. 

61 



COMPENDIUM 



THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS. 

The Scriptures divide time, by which is meant the 
entire period from the creation of Adam to the "new- 
heaven and a new earth" of Rev. 21 : 1, into seven un- 
equal periods, called, usually "Dispensations" (Eph. 
3:2), although these periods are also called "ages" 
(Eph. 2:7) and "days" — as, "day of the Lord," etc. 

These periods are marked off in Scripture by some 
change in God's method of dealing with mankind, or 
a portion of mankind, in respect of the two questions 
of sin and of man's responsibility. Each of the Dis- 
pensations may be regarded as a new test of the 
natural man, and each ends in judgment — marking his 
utter failure. 

Five of these Dispensations, or periods of time, 
have been fulfilled ; we are living in the sixth, prob- 
ably towards its close, and have before us the seventh, 
and last — the millennium. 

1. Man Innocent. — This dispensation, extends 
from the creation of Adam, Gen. 2 :j, to the expulsion. 
Adam, created innocent and ignorant of good and 
evil, was placed in the garden of Eden with his wife, 
Eve, and put under responsibility to abstain from the 
fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 
The Dispensation of Innocence resulted in the first 
and, in its far-reaching effects, the most disastrous 
of the failures of the natural man, and was closed by 
judgment — "So He drove out the man." See, 

62 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Gen. i '.26. 
Gen. 2:16, 17. 
Gen. 3 :6. 
Gen. 3 122-24. 

2. Man Under Conscience. — By the fall Adam 
and Eve acquired, and transmitted to the race, the 
knowledge of good and evil. This gave conscience a 
basis for right moral judgment, and hence the race 
came under this measure of responsibility — to do good 
and eschew evil. The result of the Dispensation of 
Conscience was that "all flesh had corrupted his way 
on the earth" ; that "the wickedness of man was great 
in the earth, and that every imagination of the 
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" ; and 
God closed the second testing of the natural man 
with judgment — the flood. See, 

Gen. 3 7, 22. 
Gen. 6:5, 11, 12. 
Gen. 7:11, 12, 23. 

3. Man in Authority over the Earth. — Out of 
the fearful judgment of the flood, God saved eight 
persons to whom, after the waters were assuaged, He 
gave the purified earth with ample power to govern it. 
This, Noah and his descendants were responsible to 
do. The Dispensation of Human Government re- 
sulted, upon the plain of Shinar, in the impious at- 
tempt to become independent of God and closed in 
judgment — the confusion of tongues. See, 

Gen. 9:1, 2. 
Gen. 11 11-4. 
Gen. 11 15-8. 

4. Man under Promise. — Out of the dispersed 
descendants of the builders of Babel, God now calls 
one man Abraham, with whom He enters into cove- 
nant. Some of the promises to Abraham and his de- 
scendants were purely gracious and unconditional. 

63 



COMPENDIUM 

These either have been or will yet be, literally ful- 
filled. Other promises were conditional upon the 
faithfulness and obedience of the Israelites. Every 
one of these conditions was violated, and the Dispen- 
sation of Promise resulted in the utter failure of 
Israel, and closed in the judgment of the Egyptian 
bondage. 

The book of Genesis, which opens with the sublime 
words, "In the beginning God created," closes with 
"in a coffin in Egypt." 

Gen. 12:1-3. 

Gen. 15:5; 26:3528:12, 13. 

Gen. 13 :i4-i7. 

Ex. 1:13, 14. 
5. Man under Law. — Again the grace of God 
came to the help of helpless man and redeemed the 
chosen people out of the hand of the oppressor. In 
the Wilderness of Sinai he proposed to them the 
Covenant of Law. Instead of humbly pleading for a 
continued relation of grace, they presumptuously an- 
swered : "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." 
The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land 
is one long lesson of flagrant, persistent violation of 
the Law, and at last, after multiplied warnings, God 
closed the testing of man by law in judgment, and 
first Israel and then Judah were driven out of the 
land into a dispersion which still continues. A feeble 
remnant returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, of which, 
in due time, Christ came : "Born of a woman— made 
under the law." Him both Jews and Gentiles con- 
spired to crucify. See, 

Ex. 19:1-8. 

Rom. 10:5. 

Gal. 3:10. 

Rom. 3 -.19, 20. 

2 Kings 17:1-18. 

64 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

2 Kings 25 :i-ii. 
Acts 2:22, 23. 
Acts 7:51, 52. 

6. Man under Grace. — The sacrificial death of 
the Lord Jesus Christ introduced the dispensation 
of pure grace — which means undeserved favor, or God 
giving righteousness, instead of God requiring 
righteousness, as under Law. 

Salvation, perfect and eternal, is now freely offered 
to Jew and Gentile upon the one condition of faith. 

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the 
work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath 
sent. (John 6 129.) 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth 
on Ale hath everlasting life. John 6 47. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My 
word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath eter- 
nal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath 
passed out of death into life. (John 5:24. R. V.) 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they 
follow Me : and I give unto them eternal life ; and 
they shall never perish. John 10 127, 28. 

For by grace have ye been saved through faith ; 
and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God : not 
of works, that no man should glory. Eph. 2 :8, 9. 
R. V. 

The predicted result of this testing of man under 
grace is, judgment upon an unbelieving world and 
an apostate Church. 
Luke 18:8. 
Rev. 3:15, 16. 
Luke 17 :26~30. 
2 Thess. 2 17-12. 

The first event in the closing of this dispensation 
will be the descent of the Lord from Heaven, when 
sleeping saints will be raised and, together with be- 

65 



COMPENDIUM 

lievers then living, caught up "to meet the Lord in the 
air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." I 
Thess. 4:16, 17. 

Then follows the brief period called "the great 
tribulation." 

Matt. 24:21, 22. 

Zeph. 1 :i5-i8. 

Dan. 12:1. 

Jer. 30:5-7. 
After this occurs the personal return of the Lord to 
the earth in power and great glory, and the judgments 
which introduce the seventh and last dispensation. 

Matt. 24:29, 30. 

Matt. 25:31-46. 
7. Man under the Personal Reign of Christ. 
— After the purifying judgments which attend the 
personal return of Christ to the earth, He will reign 
over restored Israel and over the earth for one thou- 
sand years. This is the period generally called the 
Millennium. The seat of His power will be Jerusalem, 
and the saints, including the saved of the Dispensation 
of Grace, viz., the Church, will be associated with Him 
in His glory. See, 

Acts 15:14-17. 

Isa. 2:1-4. 

Rev. 19:11-21. 

Rev. 20:1-6. 

Isa. n, entire. 
But when Satan is "loosed a little season" he finds 
the natural heart as prone to evil as ever, and easily 
gathers the nations to battle against the Lord and 
His saints, and this last dispensation closes, like all 
the others, in judgment. The "great white throne is 
set, the wicked dead are raised and finally judged, and 
then come the new heaven and a new earth" — eternity 
begun. 

66 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Rev. 20:8, 7-15. 
Rev. 21 and 22. 

In the foregoing plan we have necessarily omitted 
the utterly unknown ages previous to the commence- 
ment of human history. 

The periods demanded for geological formation — in 
many instances the outcome of wild and reckless con- 
jecture — must yet be very great. The most sober 
geologists require periods of far greater length than 
those assigned in Scripture as marking the various 
epochs in history. Now science does not make facts ; 
its province is to disclose them. Science discovers 
what is. Hence as a Christian, and as a firm believer 
in the verbal inspiration of the Word of God, we wel- 
come, gladly welcome, the disclosure of facts in the 
realm of nature, but conjecture and supposition we 
utterly repudiate. We would again repeat, that sci- 
ence reveals what is, not what may be or might have 
been. 

Now, while frankly accepting facts from whatever 
quarter — Christian or infidel — we unhesitatingly chal- 
lenge the production of one which contradicts any 
statement of Holy Writ. The periods in Scripture re- 
fer to man's history, and not at all to the age or an- 
tiquity of the globe. That useful chapter — Gen. v. — 
or family register of the race from Adam to Noah — 
1656 years — the basis of human chronology — is an im- 
portant factor in a question of this kind. All the 
periods therein enumerated, and they are the first on 
record, refer to the age of persons. 

Not one inspired statement informs us when "God 
created the heaven and the earth" ; nor how long the 
ruined earth lay desolate (verse 2 Gen. i.) nor by what 
means its ruin was effected; it was will-less in the 
matter (Rom. 8:20). Neither does the Word of God 
define the time from the brooding of the Spirit of 

67 



COMPENDIUM 

God upon the waters which were wrapped round the 
chaotic earth as a huge winding-sheet, till God pre- 
pared it in six literal days as man's home till he enter 
either of the eternal abodes — Heaven or the lake of 
fire. Hence the periods required for the formation 
of the various geological strata can easily be granted, 
and are, in fact, fully provided for in the first thirty- 
nine words of the Bible. How perfect is the Word 
of God! 



68 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



THE TWO ADVENTS. 

KEY TEXT, I PET. I III. 

Whoever carefully considers Old Testament prophe- 
cies must be struck by two contrasting, and seemingly 
contradictory, lines of prediction concerning the com- 
ing Messiah. One body of prediction speaks of Him 
as coming in weakness and humiliation, a man of sor- 
rows and acquainted with grief, a root out of dry 
ground, having no form nor comeliness, nor beauty 
the He should be desired. His visage is to be marred, 
His hands and feet pierced, He is to be forsaken 
of man and of God, and to make His grave with the 
wicked. See, 

Isa. 53 (entire chapter). 

Isa. 7 114. 

Ps. 22 11-18. 

Dan. 9:26. 

Zech. 13 : 6, 7. 

(Mark 14:27.) 
The other line of prophecy foretells a splendid and 
resistless Sovereign, purging the earth with awful judg- 
ments, regathering disbursed Israel, restoring the 
throne of David in more than Solomon's splendor, and 
introducing a reign of profound peace and perfect 
righteousness. See, as examples 1 

Isa. 11 11, 2, 10-12. 

Deut. 30 1 1-7. 

Isa. 9:6, 7. 

69 



COMPENDIUM 

Isa. 24:21-23. 
Isa. 40:9-11. 
Dan. 7:13, 14. 
Micah 5 :2. 
Matt. 1:1. 
Matt. 2 :2. 

Luke 1:31-33- 

Jer. 23:5-8. 
In due time the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy 
began with the birth of the Virgin's Son according 
to Isaiah, in Bethlehem according to Micah, and pro- 
ceeded with perfect literalness unto the full accom- 
plishment of every prediction of Messiah's humiliation. 
But the Jews would not receive their King, meek and 
sitting upon an ass and a colt, the foal of an ass," but 
crucified Him : 

Zech. 9 :g, with Matt. 21:1-5, etc. 

John 19:15, 16. 
But we must not conclude that the wickedness of 
man has baffled the deliberate purpose of God, for His 
counsels include a second advent of His Son, when 
the predictions concerning Messiah's early glory will 
receive the same precise and literal fulfillment as did 
those which concerned His early sufferings. 

Hosea 3 4, 5. 

Luke 1 :3i-33 (verse 31 has already been literally 
fulfilled). 

Acts 1 :6, 7. 

Acts 15 :i4-i7- 

Matt. 24:27-30. 
The Jews were slow of heart to believe all that the 
prophets had spoken concerning the sufferings of 
their Messiah; we are slow of heart to believe all 
that they have spoken concerning His glory. Surely 
the greater reproach is ours, for it ought to be 
easier to believe that the Son of God would come "in 

70 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory," 
than that He would come as the Babe of Bethlehem, 
and the carpenter of Nazareth. Indeed we believe 
the latter because it has happened, not because the 
prophets foretold it, and it is time we ceased to re- 
proach the Jews for their unbelief. If it be asked 
how they could possibly be blinded to the evident 
meaning of so many and such unequivocal predictions, 
the answer is, that they were blinded in exactly the 
same way that many Christians are blinded to the 
equally evident meaning of a far greater number of 
predictions of His earthly glory, viz., by the process of 
"spiritualizing"- Scripture. In other words, the an- 
cient scribes told the people that the prophecies of Mes- 
siah's sufferings were not to be interpreted literally, 
just as some modern scribes are telling the people that 
the prophecies of Messiah's earthly glory are not to 
be literally interpreted. 

But the second advent is a promise to the Church as 
well as to the Jew. 

Among the last words of comfort and exhortation 
addressed by our Lord to His perplexed and sorrow- 
ing disciples before He accomplished the sacrifice 
of the cross were these : 

"Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in God, 
believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many 
mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. 
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and pre- 
pare a place for you, I will come again, and receive 
you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be 
also." John 14, 1-3. 

Here the Lord speaks of His coming again in 
precisely the same terms as of His departure. The 
latter was, we know, personal and bodily. If we say 
that the former is impersonal and "spiritual," surely 
we ought to be constrained to such a forced interpre- 

71 



COMPENDIUM 

tation of simple language by the most imperative and 
unqualified Scripture elsewhere. But no such passages 
exist. 

But we are not left in doubt upon this vital point, nor 
to the conclusions of reason, however irresistible. 

In the very moment of our Lord's disappearance 
from the sight of His disciples, "two men stood by 
them in white apparel"; 

Which also said, "ye men of Galilee, why stand ye 
gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is 
taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in 
like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." 
Acts i :ii. 

To the same purport is I Thess. 4:16, 17. 

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven 
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and 
with the trump of God ; and the dead in Christ shall 
rise first : then we which are alive and remain, shall 
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with 
the Lord. 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ap- 
pearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Titus 2:13. 

For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also 
we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who 
shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that 
it may be conformed to the body of His glory, ac- 
cording to the working whereby He is even able to 
subject all things unto Himself. Phil. 3 :2o, 21. R. V. 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God ; and it doth 
not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that, 
when He shall appear, we shall be like Him ; for 
we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3 :2. 

And behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is with 

72 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

me, to give every man according as his work shall 
be. Rev. 22:12. 

For this "blessed hope" we are taught to "watch" 
(Mark 13:33, 35, 37; Matt. 24:42; 25:13) ; "wait," I 
Thess. 1:10; "and be ready," Matt. 24:44. The last 
prayer in the Bible is one for Christ's speedy return. 
Rev. 22 \2Q. 

By these Scriptures it abundantly appears that the 
second advent will be personal and bodily ; that, there- 
fore, it does not mean the death of the believer, nor 
the destruction of Jerusalem, nor the descent of the 
Holy Spirit at Pentecost, nor the gradual diffusion 
of Christianity ; but that it is the "blessed hope" of 
the Church, the time when sleeping saints will be 
raised, and, together with saints then living, who will 
be "changed" (1 Cor. 15:51, 52), caught up to meet 
the Lord ; the time when we who are now the sons 
of God will be like Him, and when faithful saints will 
be rewarded for works done after salvation, for His 
name's sake. 

The following scripture will further bring into view 
the contrast between the two advents of our Lord. 
Compare : 

First Advent. 

And she brought forth her first-born son, and 
wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in 
a manger; because there was no room for them in 
the inn. Luke 2 :y. 

But now once in the end of the world hath He 
appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 
Heb. 9:26. 

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save 
that which was lost. Luke 19:10. 

73 



COMPENDIUM 

For God sent not His son into the world to con- 
demn the world ; but that the world through Him 
might be saved. John 3:17. 

And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I 
judge him not ; for I came not to judge the world 
but to save the world. John 12 47. 



Second Advent. 

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man, 
in heaven ; and then shall all the tribes of the earth 
mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in 
the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 
Matt. 24:20. 

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many ; 
and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the 
second time, without sin, unto salvation. Heb. 9 128. 

And to you who are troubled, rest with us ; when the 
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His 
mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on 
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 1 7, 8. 

Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He 
will judge the world in righteousness, by that man 
whom He hath ordained ; whereof Lie hath given as- 
surance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from 
the dead. Acts 17:13. 

The student may multiply these contrasts almost 
indefinitely. Enough, however, has been adduced to 
show that both the promises to Israel and the Church 
imperatively require a return of our Lord to the 
earth. 

[Note. — It may be helpful for beginners in Bible 
study to consider, briefly, the various theories which 
are here and there put forward to oppose the scrip- 

74 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Uiral doctrine of the personal and corporeal second 
advent of Christ.] 

It will, of course, be clearly understood that the 
scriptures which speak of His visible and bodily ap- 
pearing at the close of this Dispensation must be 
distinguished from those which refer to His divine 
attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, by virtue 
of which He knows all things and is always present 
everywhere, and of which such passages as Matt. 
18:20 and Matt. 28:20 are examples. 

It is blessedly true that, in this sense, He is with us 
always, even unto the end of the age. 

But the "Man Christ Jesus" is now personally and 
corporeally at the right hand of God. 

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up 
steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, 
and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and 
said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son 
of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 

7:55, 56. 

. . . when He had by Himself purged our sins, 
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on 
high. Heb. 1 :3. 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things 
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the 

RIGHT HAND OF GoD. Col. 3 :l. 

To illustrate : During the Franco-Prussian war, Von 
Moltke, by his genius and skill, and by a network of 
telegraph wires, was really present on every battle- 
field, though visibly and personally present at his 
office in Berlin. Later in the war he joined the army 
before Paris, after which his actual and visible pres- 
ence was there. So, our Lord, by virtue of His divine 
attributes, is really present with His Church now, but 
that He will be visibly and personally upon the earth 
at His second coming. 

75 



COMPENDIUM 

i. The prophecies concerning the return of the 
Lord were not fulfilled by the descent of the Holy 
Spirit at Pentecost, nor by His manifestation in pow- 
erful revivals and happy prayer-meetings, because : 

(i) This interpretation practically nullifies the doc- 
trine of the Trinity — making the Holy Spirit only a 
manifestation of Christ. 

(2) In Christ's promise of the descent of the Spirit, 
He distinctly speaks of Him as "another Comforter" 
(John 14-16), and in John 16:7, Christ says: "If I 
go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 
but if I depart, I will send Him unto you/' 

(3) The inspired writers of Acts, the Epistles, and 
the Revelation, mention the return of the Lord over 
one hundred and fifty times, after Pentecost, and al- 
ways as yet future. 

(4) None of the events predicted to accompany the 
Second Advent of Christ occurred at Pentecost. 
These are : The resurrection of sleeping saints ( 1 Cor. 
15:22, 23; 1 Thess. 4:13-16); the "change of living 
believers, by which they "put on incorruption" — their 
"vile bodies" being "fashioned like unto His glorious 
body," and their catching up to meet the Lord in the 
air (1 Cor. 15 151-53; 1 Thess, 4:17; Phil. 3:20, 21) ; 
and the mourning of all the tribes of the earth be- 
cause of the visible coming of the Son of man in power 
and great glory (Matt. 24:29, 30; Rev. 1:7). 

These are the phenomena associated with the event 
of our Lord's return. When He comes these phe- 
nomena will be present. Not one of these things ap- 
peared at Pentecost, nor in any other manifestation 
of the Holy Spirit. 

2. The conversion of a sinner is not the coming 
of the Lord. One would think this theory too puerile 
to be seriously put forth as a sufficient explanation 
of prophecies so numerous and circumstantial. 

76 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

(i) According to scripture this is exactly reversed. 
Conversion is the coming of a sinner to Christ, not 
the coming of Christ to a sinner. Matt. 11:28; John 
5 140 ; John 7 137 ; John 6 137. 

(2) None of the events above enumerated, predicted 
to occur when the Lord returns, accompany the con- 
version of a sinner. 

3. The death of a Christian is not the coming of 
Christ. 

( 1 ) When the disciples understood the Lord to say 
that one of their number should tarry till He came, 
the saying went abroad among them that <( that disciple 
should not die." John 21 122-24. 

(2) The inspired writers always refer to a be- 
liever's death as his departure. In not one instance 
is the coining of the Lord connected with a Chris- 
tian's death. See Phil. 1 :23 ; 2 Tim. 4 :6 ; 2 Cor. 5 :8. 
Dying Stephen saw the heavens opened, and the Son 
of man — not coming, but "standing on the right hand 
of God." Acts 7:55, 56. 

(3) None of the events predicted to occur when 
the Lord returns accompany the death of a Chris- 
tian. 

4. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans 
was not the second coming of Christ. 

(1) In Matt. 24 and Luke 21, three events are 
foretold : The destruction of the temple, the coming 
of the Lord, and the end of the world (age). See 
Matt. 24:3. It was the needless confusion of these 
perfectly distinct things which gave rise to the notion 
that the fulfillment of one was the fulfillment of 
all. 

(2) The Apostle John wrote the Revelation after 
the destruction of Jerusalem, but still speaks of the 
coming as a future event. Rev. 1:4, 7; 2:25; 3:11; 
22 :y, 12, 20. The last promise of the Bible is, "Sure- 

77 



COMPENDIUM 

ly, I come quickly"; the last prayer, "Even so, come 
Lord Jesus." 

(3) None of the events predicted to occur when 
the Lord returns occurred when Jerusalem was de- 
stroyed. See 1 Thess. 4:14-17; Matt. 24:29-31; Matt. 

25:3^ 32, etc. 

5. The diffusion of Christianity is not the second 
coming of Christ. 

(1) The diffusion of Christianity is gradual, 
whereas the scriptures refer to the coming of the 
Lord as sudden and unexpected. Matt. 24:27, 36- 
42, 44, 50; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3. 

(2) The diffusion of Christianity is a process; 
scripture invariably speaks of the return of the Lord 
as an event. 

(3) The diffusion of Christianity brings salvation 
to the wicked, whereas the coming of Christ is said 
to bring, not salvation but sudden destruction. 1 
Thess. 5:2, 3; 2 Thess 1:7-10; Matt. 25:31-46. 

6. But these alleged explanations and theories, 
though widespread, do not appear in the books of 
reputable theologians of any school or denomination, 
nor are they maintained by a single exegete of univer- 
sally recognized eminence. These all maintain the 
bodily and visible second coming of Christ. 

It is, however, sometimes said that this coming 
cannot occur until after the world has been con- 
verted by the preaching of the Gospel, and has sub- 
mitted to the spiritual reign of Christ for one thou- 
sand years. It is submitted that this view is wholly 
erroneous, because : 

(1) Scripture clearly describes the condition, of 
the earth at the second coming of Christ to be one, 
not of millennial blessedness, but of awful wickedness. 
Luke 17:26-32, with Gen. 6:5-7 an d Gen. 13:13; Luke 
18:8; Luke 21 :25-27. 

78 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

(2) Scripture describes the whole course of this 
dispensation from the beginning to the end in such 
terms as to exclude the possibility of a converted 
world in any part of it. Matt. 13 136-43, 47, 50; Matt. 
25:1-10; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3, 4; 2 Pet. 
3:3-4; Jude 17-19. 

(3) The purpose of God in this dispensation is 
declared to be, not the conversion of the world, but 
to "gather out of the Gentiles a people for His name." 
After this, He "will return," and then, and not be- 
fore, will the world be converted. See Acts 15 :I4~I7; 
Matt. 24:14 ("for a witness"); Rom. 1:5 ("among," 
not "of" all nations); Rom. 11:14; ("some," not 
"all") ; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rev. 5:9 ("out of," not "all" of). 

(4) It would be impossible to "watch" and "wait" 
for an event which we knew could not occur for 
more than one thousand years. 



79 



COMPENDIUM 



THE TWO RESURRECTIONS. 

The Word of Truth teaches in the clearest and 
most positive terms that all of the dead will be raised. 
No doctrine of the faith rests upon a more literal and 
emphatic body of Scripture authority than this, nor 
is any more vital to Christianity. 

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is 
Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is 
our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain, i 
Cor. 15:13, 14. 

But it is important to observe that the Scriptures do 
not teach that all the dead are raised at one time. A 
partial resurrection of saints has already occurred. 

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of 
the saints which slept, arose, and came out of the 
graves after His resurrection, and went into the 
holy city, and appeared unto many. Matt. 27:52, 53. 

Two resurrections, differing in respect of time, and 
of those who are the subjects of the resurrection, are 
yet future. These are variously distinguished as "of 
life," and "of damnation" ; as "of the just," etc. The 
Scriptures bearing upon this important subject are as 
follows : 

Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in 
the which all that are in the graves shall hear His 
voice, and shall come forth; they that have done 
good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that 
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damna- 
tion. John 5:28, 29. 

80 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

If it be objected that the word "hour" would indi- 
cate a simultaneous resurrection of these two classes, 
it is answered that the "hour" of verse 25 has al- 
ready lasted eighteen hundred years. (See, also, 
"day," in 2 Pet. 3:8; 2 Cor. 6:2; John 8:56.) 

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the 
maimed, the lame, the blind : and thou shalt be blessed ; 
for they cannot recompense thee : for thou shalt be 
recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 
Luke 14:13, 14. 

In this passage our Lord speaks of the first resur- 
rection only. In the 15th of 1 Corinthians the distinc- 
tion still further appears : 

For as in Adam all .die, even so in Christ shall 
all be made alive. 

Bat every man in his own order; Christ the first- 
fruits ; afterward they that are Christ's, at His 
coming. 1 Cor. 15 :22, 23. 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow 
not, even as others which have no hope. For if we 
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with 
Him. For this we say unto you by the word of 
the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto 
the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which 
are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from 
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, 
and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first, i Thess. 4:13-16. 

This "resurrection of life," of "the just," of "the 
dead in Christ," is that of which Paul speaks in Phil. 
3:11. R. V. 

If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection 
from the dead. (Not "of the dead," as in A. V. 

81 



COMPENDIUM 

The resurrection of the dead would imply that all 
the dead were raised simultaneously : "from the dead" 
necessarily implies a selection — that some of "the 
dead" remain. Literally, it is "the resurrection out of 
the dead ones." The Emphatic Diaglott has "from 
among the dead." Rotherham, "the out-resurrection, 
that from among the dead.") 

If the Apostle had in mind a resurrection of all 
the dead, how could he speak of attaining it "by 
any means," since he could not possibly escape it? 

In Revelation 20 4-6 the two resurrections are again 
mentioned together, with the important addition of 
the time which intervenes between the resurrection 
of the saved and the unsaved. 

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and 
judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls 
of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, 
and for the word of God, and which had not wor- 
shipped the beast, neither his image, neither had re- 
ceived his mark upon their foreheads, or in their 
hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a 
thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not 
again until the thousand years were finished. This is 
the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that 
hath part in the first resurrection : on such the sec- 
ond death hath no power, but they shall be priests of 
God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thou- 
sand years. 

Verses 12 and 13 describe the second resurrection — 
that "unto damnation." 

The testimony of Scripture, then, is clear that be- 
lievers' bodies are raised from among the bodies of 
unbelievers, and caught up to meet the Lord in the 
air one thousand years before the resurrection of 
the latter. It should be firmly held that the doctrine 

82 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

of the resurrections concerns only the bodies of the 
dead. Their disembodied spirits are instantly in con- 
scious bliss or woe. Phil. 1 123 ; 2 Cor. 5 :8 ; Luke 
16 .22, 23. 



83 



COMPENDIUM 



THE FIVE JUDGMENTS. 

The expression, "general judgment," of such fre- 
quent occurrence in religious literature, is not found 
in the Scriptures, and, what is of more importance, 
the idea intended to be conveyed by that expression is 
not found in the Scriptures. 

Dr. Pentecost well says : "It is a mischievous habit 
that has led the Christian world to speak of the Judg- 
ment as being one great event, taking place at the end 
of the world, when all human beings, saints, sinners, 
Jews and Gentiles, the living and the dead, shall stand 
up before the 'Great White Throne' and there be 
judged. Nothing can be more wide of the teaching 
of the Scriptures." 

The Scriptures speak of five judgments, and these 
will be found to differ in four general respects : ( I ) 
In respect of those who are the subjects of judgment; 
(2) in respect of the place of judgment; (3) in re- 
spect of the time of judgment ; and (4) in respect of 
the result of the judgment. 

1. The SINS of believers HAVE BEEN 
judged. — Time, a. d. 30. Place, The Cross. Re- 
sult, Death for Christ, Justification for the Believer. 

And He bearing His cross went forth into a place 
called the place of a skull, which is called in the He- 
brew, Golgotha: Where they crucified Him. John 
19:17, 18. 

Who His own self bare our sins in His own body 
on the tree. 1 Pet. 2 124. 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just 

84 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. I 
Pet. 3:18. 

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the 
law, being made a curse for us ; for it is written, 
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Gal. 

3 :I 3- 

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew 

no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of 

God in Him. 2 Cor. 5 :2i. 

But now once in the end of the world hath He ap- 
peared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 
Heb. 9 -.26. 

When He had by Himself purged our sins. Heb. 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them 
that are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My 
word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath eternal 

life, AND COMETH NOT INTO JUDGMENT, but hath 

passed out of death into life. John 5 124. R. V. 

The word translated "judgment" in this passage 
("condemnation" in the common version) is the same 
word rendered "judgment" in Matt. 10:15; Heb. 
9 127 ; 2 Pet. 2 4. An entirely different word is used 
in 2 Cor. 5 :io, where the judgment of our works as 
believers is referred to. 

2. SELF IN THE BELIEVER MUST BE JUDGED. 

Time, any Time. Place, Anywhere. Result, Chastise- 
ment. 

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not 
be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened 
of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with 
the world. 1 Cor. 11:31, 32. 

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as 
with sons ; for what son is he whom the father 
chasteneth not? Heb. 12:7. 



COMPENDIUM 

See, also, i Pet. 4:17; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Sam. 7:14, 15; 
2 Sam. 12:13, 14; 1 Tim. 1:20. 

3. The WORKS of believers are TO BE judged. 
— Time, When Christ Comes. Place, "In the Air." 
Result, to the believer, "reward" or "loss" — "but he 
himself shall be saved." 

It is a solemn thought that, though Christ bore our 
sins in His own body on the tree, and God has entered 
into covenant with us to "remember them no more" 
(Heb. 10:17), every work must come into judgment. 

Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at 
home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto Him. For 
we must all be made manifest before the judgment- 
seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things 
done in the body, according to what he hath done, 
whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor. 5 :g, 10. Revised 
Version. 

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost 
thou set at naught thy brother ? for we shall all stand 
before the judgment-seat of Christ. Rom. 14:10. 

It will be observed that both of these passages are 
limited by the context to believers. 

In the first the Apostle has just written of us as in 
one of two states : either we are at home in the body 
and absent from the Lord, or absent from the body 
and present with the Lord ; language which could not 
be used of unbelievers. "Wherefore we make it our 
aim" in either place — with the Lord, or in the body to 
please Him, "for we must all be made manifest," etc. 
2 Cor. 5 :8, 9. 

In the other passage the words "we" and "brother" 
limit it to believers. The Holy Spirit never so com- 
mingles the saved and the lost. Then, lest it should 
seem incredible that a blood-cleansed saint could come 
into any judgment whatever, he quotes from Isaiah to 

86 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

prove that "every knee shall bow," etc., and adds, so 
then every one of us shall give account of himself to 
God. 

The following passage gives the basis of the Judg- 
ment of Works: 

For other foundation can no man lay than that is 
laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build 
upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, 
wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made 
manifest ; for the day shall declare it, because it shall 
be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every man's 
work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide 
which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a 
reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall 
suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as 
by fire. I Cor. 3:11-15. 

The following passages fix the time of this judg- 
ment : 

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His 
Father, with His angels, and then He shall reward 
every man according to his works. Matt. 16 :2J. 

And thou shalt be blessed ; for they cannot recom- 
pense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the 
resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14 (see 1 Cor. 
15:22, 23). 

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the 
Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden 
things of darkness, and will make manifest the coun- 
sels of the hearts; and then shall every man have 
praise of God. 1 Cor. 4:5. 

(It is very comforting, in view of that inevitable 
scrutiny of our poor botch-work, to learn that in 
His patient love He is so leading us now as that He 
can then find something in it all for which to praise 
us.) 

87 



COMPENDIUM 

Behold, I come quickly ; and My reward is with Me, 
to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Rev. 22:12. 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, 
shall give me at that day. 2 Tim. 4 :8. 

The place of this judgment, 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. See, 
also, Matt. 25:24-30. 

4. The NATIONS are TO BE judged.— Time, 
the glorious appearing of Christ. Place, The 
Valley of Jehoshaphat. Result, some saved, some 
lost. " 

Time. Matt. 25:31, 32; Matt. 13:40, 41. 

Place. Joel 3:1, 2, 12-14. 

Basis. Treatment of those whom Christ there calls, 
"My brethren." Matt. 25:40, 45. Joel 3:3, 6, 7. 
These "brethren" are believed to be the Jewish Rem- 
nant who have turned to Jesus as their Messiah dur- 
ing "the great tribulation" which follows the taking 
away of the Church, and is terminated by the glorious 
appearing of our Lord. Matt. 24:21, 22; Rev. 7:14, 
R. V. ; 2 Thess. 2 :$-g, R. V. The proof is too ex- 
tensive to be adduced here. It is evident, however, 
that these "brethren" cannot be believers of this 
dispensation, for it would be impossible to find any 
considerable number of Christians who are so igno- 
rant that they do not know the offices of kindness to 
believers are really ministries to Jesus Himself. 

Result. Matt. 25:46. 

As this judgment of the living nations is sometimes 
confounded with that of the "great white throne," 
in Rev. 20: 11, it may be well to note the following 
contrasts between the two scenes : 



88 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 
Living Nations. 



'.s 



No resurrection. 

Living nations judged. 

On the earth. 

No books. 

Three classes — sheep, goats, "brethren." 

Time, when Christ appears. 

Great White Throne. 

A resurrection. 

"The dead" judged. 

Heavens and earth fled away. 

"Books were opened." 

One class — "the dead." 

After He has reigned 1,000 years. 

The saints will be associated with Christ in this 
judgment, and hence cannot be the subjects of it. 
See i Cor. 6:2, with Dan. 7:22, and Jude 14, 15. 

In truth the judgment of the Great White Throne 
and the judgment of the living nations have but one 
thing in common — the Judge. 

5. The WICKED DEAD are TO BE judged.— 
Time, a determined day, after the Millennium. Acts 
17:31; Rev. 20:5, 7. 

Place, Before "the great white throne." Rev. 20:11. 

Result. Rev. 20:15. 

Some may be troubled by the word "day" in such 
passages as Acts 17:31 and in Rom. 2:16. See the 
following passages where "day" means a lengthened 
period : 2 Pet. 3 :8 ; 2 Cor. 6 :2 ; John 8 :56. The 
"hour" of John 5 '.2% has now lasted more than eight- 
een hundred years. 

89 



COMPENDIUM 

[Note. — The Scriptures speak, also, of a judgment 
of angels. I Cor. 6 13 ; Jude 6 ; 2 Pet. 2 14. Luke 
22 130 probably refers to Judges as under the The- 
ocracy — an administrative office, rather than judicial. 
See Isaiah 1 '.26.] 



90 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



LAW AND GRACE. 

The most obvious and striking division of the word 
of truth is that between Law and Grace. Indeed, 
these contrasting principles characterize the two most 
important dispensations — the Jewish and Christian. 

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and 
truth came by Jesus Christ. John i 117. 

It is not, of course, meant that there was no law 
before Moses, any more than that there was no grace 
and truth before Jesus Christ. The forbidding to 
Adam of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of 
good and evil (Gen. 2:17) was lam, and surely grace 
was most sweetly manifested in the seeking, by the 
Lord God, of His sinning creatures, and in His cloth- 
ing them with coats of skins (Gen. 3:21) — a beau- 
tiful type of Christ "made unto us . . . righteous- 
ness." 1 Cor. 1 :3c Law, in the sense of some reve- 
lation of God's will, and grace, in the sense of some 
revelation of God's goodness, have always existed, 
and to this Scripture abundantly testifies. But "the 
law" everywhere mentioned in Scripture was given by 
Moses and from Sinai to Calvary dominates — char- 
acterizes, the time; just as grace dominates or gives 
its peculiar character to the dispensation which begins 
at Calvary, and has its predicted termination in the 
rapture of the Church. 

It is, however, of the most vital moment to ob- 
serve that Scripture never, in any dispensation, 
mingles these two principles. Law always has a 
place and work distinct and wholly diverse from that 

9i 



COMPENDIUM 

of grace. Law is God prohibiting and requiring; 
grace is God beseeching and bestowing. Law is a 
ministry of condemnation ; grace, of forgiveness. Law 
curses; grace redeems from that curse. Law kills, 
grace makes alive. Law shuts every mouth before 
God; grace opens every mouth to praise Him. Law 
puts a great and guilty distance between man and 
God; grace makes guilty man nigh to God. Law 
says, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth"; 
grace says, "resist not evil ; but whosoever shall smite 
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." 
Law says, "Hate thine enemy" ; grace, "Love your 
enemies, bless them that curse you." Law had few 
missionaries ; grace is to be preached to every crea- 
ture. Law utterly condemns the best man; grace 
freely justifies the worst. (Luke 23 43 ; Rom. 5 15 ; 
1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Cor. 6:9-11.) Law is a system of 
probation ; grace, of favor. Law stones an adulteress ; 
grace says, "Neither do I condemn thee." Under 
law the sheep dies for the shepherd; under grace, 
the Shepherd dies for the sheep. 

Everywhere the Scriptures present law and grace 
in sharply contrasted spheres. 

The mingling of them in much of the current teach- 
ing of the day spoils both, for law is robbed of its 
terror and grace of its freeness. 

The student should observe that "law," in the New 
Testament Scriptures, always means the law given 
by Moses (Rom. 7 :23 is the only exception) ; but 
sometimes the whole law, moral, so-called, (or the 
ten commandments) and ceremonial, is meant: some- 
times the commandments only : sometimes the cere- 
monial law only. Of the first class of passages, 
Rom. 6:14; Gal. 2:16, and 3:2 are examples. Of the 
second class, Rom. 3:19 and 7:7-12 are examples. Of 
the third class, Col. 2:14-17. 

92 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

It should be remembered, also, that in the cere- 
monial law are enshrined those marvelous types — the 
beautiful foreshadowings of the person and work of 
the Lord Jesus as Priest and Sacrifice, which must 
ever be the wonder and delight of the spiritually 
minded. Expressions in the Psalms which would be 
inexplicable if understood only of the ''ministration 
of death written and engraven in stones" (2 Cor. 
3:7) are made clear when seen to refer also to the 
types — those lovely pictures of grace. 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and 
in His law doth he meditate day and night. Psa. 1 :2. 

Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may 
live: for Thy law is my delight. Psa. 119:77. 

O how I love Thy law ; it is my meditation all the 
day. Psal. 119:97. 

Three errors have troubled the Church touching the 
right relations of law and grace : 

1. Antinomianism or the denial of all rule over 
the lives of believers; the affirmation that, because 
saved by God's free grace, wholly without merit, men 
are not required to live holy lives. 

They profess that they know God ; but in works 
they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, 
and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1 :i6. 

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who 
were before of old ordained to this condemnation; 
ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into 
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and 
our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4. 

2. Ceremonialism. — In its first form, the demand 
that believers should observe the Levitical ordinances. 

And certain men which came down from Judea 
taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circum- 
cised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 
Acts 15:1. 

93 



COMPENDIUM 

The modern form of this error is the teaching that 
Christian ordinances are essential to salvation. 

3. Galatianism, or the mingling of law and grace 
— the teaching that justification is partly by grace, 
partly by law, or that grace is given to enable an 
otherwise helpless sinner to keep the law. 

Against this error, the most widespread of all, the 
solemn warnings, the unanswerable logic, the emphatic 
declaration of the Epistle to the Galations are God's 
conclusive answer. 

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the 
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of 
faith ? Are ye so foolish ? having begun in the Spirit, 
are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Gal. 3:2, 3. 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him 
that called you into the grace of Christ unto another 
gospel ; which is not another [there could not be an- 
other Gospel] ; but there be some that trouble you, 
and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though 
we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel 
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, 
let him be accursed. Gal. 1 :6-8. 

The following may be helpful as an outline of 
Scripture teaching on this important subject. The 
moral law only is referred to in the passages cited. 

1. What the Law is. 

Wherefore the law is holy and the commandment 
holy, and just and good. Rom. 7:12. 

For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am 
carnal, sold under sin. Rom. 7:14. 

For I delight in the law of God after the inward 
man. Rom. 7 :22. 

But we know that the law is good, if a man use 
it lawfully. 1 Tim. 1 :8. 

And the law is not of faith. Gal. 3:12. 

2. The Lawful use of the Law. 

94 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God 
forbid. Nay I had not known sin but by the law; for 
I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou 
shalt not covet. Rom. 7 \j, see also, 13. 

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no 
flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the 
knowledge of sin. Rom. 3 :2c 

Wherefore then serveth the law ? It was added 
because of transgressions. Gal. 3:19. 

Now we know, that zvhat things soever the law 
saith, it saith to them who are under the law ; that 
every month may be stopped, and all the world 
may become guilty before God. Rom. 3 119. 

[Law has but one language — ''what things soever!' 
It speaks only to condemn.] 

For as many as are of the works of the law, are 
under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one 
that continueth not in all things which are written in 
the book of the law to do them. Gal. 3 :io. 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet 
offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2 :io. 

"The ministration of death, written and engraven 
in stones." 2 Cor. 3 \j. 

"The ministration of condemnation." 2 Cor. 3 :g. 

For I was alive without the law once; but when 
the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 
Rom. 7:9. 

The strength of sin is the law. 1 Cor. 15 :$6. 

It is evident, then, that God's purpose in giving 
the law, after the race had existed twenty-five hun- 
dred years without it (John 1:17, Gal. 3:17), was 
to bring to guilty man the knowledge of his sin, first, 
and then of his utter helplessness in view of God's 
just requirements. It is purely and only a ministra- 
tion of condemnation and death. 

3. What the Law Cannot do. 

95 



COMPENDIUM 

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no 
flesh be justified in His sight ; for by the law is the 
knowledge of sin. Rom. 3 120. 

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works 
of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we 
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justi- 
fied by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the 
law ; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be 
justified. Gal. 2:16. 

I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if right- 
eousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 
Gal. 2:21. 

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight 
of God, it is evident; for, The just shall live by faith. 
Gal. 3:11. 

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak 
through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the 
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin 
in the flesh. Rom. 8:3. 

And by Him, all that believe are justified from all 
things, from which ye could not be justified by the 
law of Moses. Acts 13 139. 

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing 
in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh 
unto God. Heb. 7 :icj. 

4. The Believer is not under the Law. 

The 6th of Romans, after declaring the doctrine of 
the believers' identification with Christ in His death, 
of which baptism is the symbol (verses 1-10), be- 
gins, with verse 11, the declarations of the principles 
which should govern the walk of the believer — his 
rule of life. This is the subject of the remaining 
twelve verses ; verse 14 gives the great principle of 
his deliverance from — not the guilt of sin, that is met 
by Christ's blood but — the dominion of sin^ his bond- 
age under it. 

96 



OF " SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

"For sin shall not have dominion over you : for ye 
are not tinder the law, but under grace." 

Lest this should lead to the monstrous Antinomian- 
ism of saying that therefore a godly life was not 
important, the Spirit immediately adds : 

What then? Shall we sin, because we are not 
under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom. 

6:15. 

Surely every renewed heart answers, Amen, and 
Amen ! 

Then the 7th of Romans introduces another prin- 
ciple of deliverance from law. 

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead 
to the law by the body of Christ ; that ye should be 
married to another, even to Him who is raised from 
the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sin, 
which were by the law*, did work in our members, 
to bring forth fruit unto death. But now, we are 
delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we 
were held ; that we should serve in newness of spirit, 
and not in the oldness of the letter. Rom. 7 4-6 
(That this does not refer to the ceremonial law, see 
verse 7.) 

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I 
might live unto God. Gal. 2 119. 

But before faith came, we were kept under the 
law, shut up into the faith which should afterwards 
be revealed. Wherefore the law was our school- 
master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be jus- 
tified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are 
no longer under a school-master. Gal. 3 123-25. 

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it 
lawfully ; knowing this, that the law is not made for a 
righteous man. I. Tim. 1 :8-c;. 

5. What is the Believer's Rule of Life? 

97 



COMPENDIUM 

He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself 
also so to walk, even as He walked, i John 2 :6. 

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He 
laid down His life for us : and we ought to lay down 
our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16. 

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pil- 
grims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against 
the soul. 1 Pet. 2:11. See, also, verses 12-23. 

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you 
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are 
called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long- 
suffering, forbearing one another in love. Eph. 4:1, 2. 

Be ye, therefore, followers of God, as dear children ; 
and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and 
hath given Himself for us. Eph. 5 :i, 2. 

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye 
light in the Lord : walk as children of light. Eph. 5 :8. 

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, 
but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are 
evil. Eph. 5 115, 16. 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not 
fulfill the lust of the flesh. Gal. 5:16. 

For I have given you an example, that ye should 
do as I have done to you. John 13 115. 

If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My 
love ; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, 
and abide in His Love. John 15:10. 

This is My commandment, that ye love one another, 
as I have loved you. John 15 :i2. 

He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, 
he it is that loveth Me. John 14:21. 

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, be- 
cause we keep His commandments, and do those things 
that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His com- 
mandment, That we should believe on the name of His 

98 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave 
us commandment, i John 3 -.22, 23. 

This is the covenant that I will make with them 
after those days, saith the Lord, / will put My law 
into their hearts, and in their minds will I write 
them. Heb. 10:16. 

A beautiful illustration of this principle is seen 
in mother-love. The law of the commonwealth re- 
quires parents to care for their offspring, and de- 
nounces penalties for the willful neglect of them, 
but the land is full of happy mothers, who tenderly 
care for their children in perfect ignorance of the 
existence of such a statute. The law is in their hearts. 

It is instructive, in this connection, to remember 
that God's appointed place for the tables of the law 
was within the ark of the testimony. With them were 
"the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod 
that budded" (types, the one of Christ, our wilder- 
ness bread, the other of resurrection, and both speak- 
ing of grace), while they were covered from sight 
by the golden mercy-seat upon which was sprinkled 
the blood of atonement. The eye of God could see 
His broken law only through the blood that com- 
pletely vindicated His justice and propitiated His 
wrath. (Heb. 9:4, 5.) 

It was reserved to modern nomolaters to wrench 
these holy and just but deathful tables from under- 
neath the mercy-seat and the atoning blood, and erect 
them in Christian churches as the rule of Christian 
life. 

6. What is Grace. 

But after that the kindness and love of God our 
Saviour toward man appeared. Titus 3 4. 

That in the ages to come He might shew the ex- 
ceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward 
us through Christ Jesus. Eph. 2 :j. 

99 



COMPENDIUM 

7. What is God's Purpose in Grace? 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that 
not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God ; not of works, 
lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8, 9. 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath 
appeared to all men, teaching us, that, denying un- 
godliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, 
righteously and godly, in this present world; looking 
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing 
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 
2:11-13. 

That, being justified by His grace, we should be 
made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 

3 '7- . 

Being justified freely by His grace, through the re- 
demption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. 3 124. 

By whom also we have access by faith into this 
grace wherein zve stand. Rom. 5 :2. 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to 
the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, 
and to give you an inheritance among all them which 
are sanctified. Acts 20:32. 

To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein 
He hath made us accepted in the Beloved : in whom 
we have redemption through His blood, the forgive- 
ness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. 
Eph. 1 :6, 7. 

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of 
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to 
help in time of need. Heb. 4:16. 

How complete, how all-inclusive! Grace saves, 
justifies, builds up, makes accepted, redeems, for- 
gives, bestows an inheritance, gives standing, provides 
a throne to which we may come boldly for mercy 
and help, teaches us how to live and gives us a blessed 
hope! 

100 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

It remains to note that these diverse principles can- 
not be intermingled. 

And if by grace, then is it no more of works ; other- 
wise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, 
then is it no more grace ; otherwise work is no more 
work. Rom. 1 1 :6. 

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reck- 
oned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh 
not but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, 
his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom. 4:4, 
5. See, also, Gal. 3:16-18; 4:21-31. 

Finally : 

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond- 
woman, but of the free. Gal. 4:31. 

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be 
touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, 
and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trum- 
pet, and the voice of words : which voice they that 
heard entreated that the word should not be spoken 
to them any more: (For they could not endure that 
which was commanded. And if so much as a beast 
touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust 
through with a dart : And so terrible was the sight 
that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 

But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the 
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and 
to an innumerable number of angels, to the general 
assembly and church of the first born, which are 
written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and 
to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus 
the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood 
of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that 
of Abel. Heb. 12:18-24. 

It is not, then, a question of dividing what God 
spoke from Sinai into "Moral" and "Ceremonial" — 
the believer does not come to that mount at all. 

101 



COMPENDIUM 

As sound old Bunyan says: 

"The believer is now, by faith in the Lord Jesus, 
shrouded under so perfect and blessed a righteous- 
ness, that this thundering law of Mount Sinai cannot 
find the least fault or diminution therein. This is 
called the righteousness of God without the law." 

[Should this meet the eye of an unbeliever, he is 
affectionately exhorted to accept the true sentence of 
that holy and just law which he has violated: "For 
there is no difference : for all have sinned, and come 
short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), and find 
perfect and eternal salvation through believing with 
the heart and confessing with the mouth that Christ 
who is "the end of the law for righteousness to 
every one that beiieveth!' Rom. 10:4, 8, 9.] 



102 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



THE BELIEVER'S TWO NATURES. 

The Scriptures teach that every regenerate being 
is the possessor of two natures : one, received by 
natural birth which is wholly and hopelessly bad, and 
a new nature, received through the new birth, which 
is the nature of God Himself, and therefore wholly 
good. 

The following Scriptures will sufficiently manifest 
what God thinks of the old, or Adam nature : 

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did 
my mother conceive me. Psa. 51 15. 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desper- 
ately wicked: who can know it? Jer. 17:9. [Dr. 
Young's literal rendering of this passage is : "Crooked 
is the heart above all things, and it is incurable — 
who doth know it?] 

There is none righteous, no, not one : there is none 
that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after 
God. They are all gone out of the way, they are to- 
gether become unprofitable; there is none that doeth 
good, no, not one. Rom. 3 ng-12. 

God does not say that none of the unregenerate 
are refined, or cultured, or able, or sweet tempered, 
or generous, or charitable, or religious, even, but He 
does say that none are righteous, none understand 
God, or seek after God. 

It is one of the sorest of faith's trials to accept the 
divine estimate of human nature ; to realize that our 
genial and moral friends, who, not infrequently, are 

103 



COMPENDIUM 

scrupulous in the discharge of every duty, who are 
filled with sympathy for all the woes and all the 
aspirations of humanity, and strenuous in the asser- 
tion of human rights, are yet utter contemners of 
God's rights, and untouched by the sacrifice of His 
Son, whose Divinity they with unspeakable insolence 
deny, and whose Word they contemptuously reject. 
A refined and gentle lady who would shrink with 
horror from the coarseness of giving a fellow crea- 
ture the lie, will yet make God a liar every day. (i 
John 1:10; 5:10.) And this difficulty is vastly in- 
creased for thousands by the current pulpit laudations 
of humanity. How startling the contrast between ap- 
pearances and realities in the time before the flood. 

There were giants in the earth in those days ; and 
also after that (i. e., improving still upon that), when 
the sons of God (descendants of Seth) came in 
unto the daughters of men (descendants of Cain) 
and they bare children to them, the same became 
mighty men, men of renown. Gen. 6:4. 

And so it appeared that the world was growing bet- 
ter, a continual improvement could be traced, and the 
apparent result of the unholy intermarriage of the 
godly with the worldly was the lifting up of human 
nature, to still grander heights. 

But, just here: 

God saw the wickedness of man was great in the 
earth, and that every imagination of the thought of 
his heart was only evil continually. Gen. 6 15. 

See, further : 

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed 
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, 
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an 
evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness : all these evil 
things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 
7:21-23. 

104 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

But the natural man receiveth not the things of 
the Spirit of God ; for they are foolishness unto him : 
neither can he know them, because they are spirit- 
ually discerned. I Cor. 2:14. 

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for 
it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed 
can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot 
please God. Rom. 8:7, 8. 

Among whom also we all had our conversation in 
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the 
desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by 
nature the children of wrath. Eph. 2 13. 

By these it appears that the unconverted man has 
a threefold incapacity. He may be gifted, or cultured, 
or amiable, or generous, or religious. He may pay 
his honest debts, be truthful, industrious, a good hus- 
band and father — or all these together — but he can 
neither obey God, please God, nor understand God. 

The believer, on the contrary, while still having, 
unchanged and unchangeable, his old nature, has re- 
ceived a new nature which, "after God is created in 
righteousness and true holiness." 

The following Scriptures will show the origin and 
character of the new man: 

It will be seen that regeneration is a creation, not 
a mere transformation: the bringing in a new thing, 
not the change of an old. Just as we received human 
nature by natural generation do we receive divine na- 
ture by re-generation. 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee (Nicodemus, a moral, 
religious man), Except a man be born again, he 
cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3 13. 

But as many as received Him, to them gave He 
power to become the sons of God, even to them that 
believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, 

105 



COMPENDIUM 

nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, 
but of God. John I :i2, 13. 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ 
Jesus. Gal. 3 126. 

[It will be observed what bearing these Scriptures 
have upon that specious and "taking" but utterly un- 
scriptural phrase, so popular in our day, "the universal 
fatherhood of God, and the universal brotherhood of 
man" — an expression all the more dangerous for the 
half-truth of the last clause. Not all who are born, 
but all who are born again are the children of God. 
The Scripture tells us indeed that Adam was the 
Son of God, but it also is careful to add that Seth was 
the son of Adam.] (Luke 3:38.) 

And that ye put on the new man, which after God 
is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 

4 :2 4- 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new 

creature [literally, "a new creation"] : old things are 

passed away ; behold, all things are become new. 2 

Cor. 5:17. 

And this "new man" is linked with Christ. 

I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live ; 
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which 
I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the 
Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 
Gal. 2:20. 

To whom God would make known what is the 
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gen- 
tiles ; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 

1 \2J. 

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ 
in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, 
then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Col. 

3:3> 4- 

For to me to live is Christ. Phil. 1 :2i. 

106 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and 
precious promises ; that by these ye might be partak- 
ers of the divine nature. 2 Pet. 1 4. 

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because 
of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 
Rom. 8:10. 

And this is the record, that God hath given to us 
eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath 
the Son, hath life: and he that hath not the Son of 
God, hath not life. 1 John 5:11, 12. 

But this new, divine nature, which is Christ's own, 
subsists in the believer together with the old nature. 
It is the same Paul who could say: "Yet not I, but 
Christ liveth in me," who also says, "For I know 
that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good 
thing," Rom. 7:18; and, "I find then a law, that; when 
I would do good, evil is present with me." Rom. 
7:21. It was Job, the "perfect and upright man" who 
said, "I abhor myself" It was Daniel, eminently a 
man of God, who said, "My comeliness was turned 
in me into corruption," when he saw the glorified 
Ancient of days. 

Between these two natures there is conflict. Study 
carefully the battle between the two "IV — the old 
Saul and the new Paul in Romans 7 114-25. It is an 
experience like this which so discourages and per- 
plexes young converts. The first joy of conversion 
becomes chilled, the walk becomes unwatchful, and 
the convert is dismayed to find the flesh, with its old 
habits and desires, reassert itself, and he is led to 
doubt his acceptance with God. This is his moment 
of greatest danger. Paul, in this crisis, cries out 
for deliverance, calling his old nature a "body of 
death." The law only intensifies his agony (though a 
converted man), and he finds deliverance from "flesh," 
not through effort, nor through striving to keep the 

107 



COMPENDIUM 

law, but through Jesus Christ, our Lord." Rom. 
7:24, 25. 

The presence of the flesh is not, however, an ex- 
cuse for walking in it. We are taught that "our old 
man is crucified with Christ" ; that, in that sense, we 
"are dead," and we are called upon to make this a 
constant experience by mortifying ("making dead") 
our members which are upon the earth. 

The power for this is that of the Holy Spirit who 
dwells in every believer (1 Cor. 6:18), and whose 
blessed office it is to subdue the flesh. 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not 
fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth 
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : 
for these are contrary, the one to the other; that ye 
may not do the things that ye would. Gal. 5:16, 17, 
R. V. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but 
if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the 
body, ye shall live. Rom. 8:13. 

Instead, therefore, of meeting the solicitations of 
the old nature by force of will, or by good resolutions, 
turn the conflict over to the indwelling Spirit of 
God. 

The 7th of Romans is a record of the conflict of a 
regenerate man with his old self, and is, therefore, 
intensely personal. "I would," "7 do not," "7 would 
not," I do," is the sad confession of defeat which 
finds an echo in so many Christian hearts. In the 
eighth chapter the conflict still goes on, but how bless- 
edly impersonal ! There is no agony, for Paul is out 
of it; the conflict is now between "flesh" — Saul of 
Tarsus — and the Holy Spirit. Paul is at peace and 
victorious. 

[It will be understood that this refers to victory 
over the flesh, such inward solicitations to evil as 

108 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

lust, pride, anger, etc. ; temptations from without are 
met by recourse to Christ, our High Priest.] 

Consider attentively the following passages : 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with 
Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that 
henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom. 6:6. 

For we are the circumcision, which worship God 
in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have 
no confidence in the flesh. Phil. 3 13. 

For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ 
in God. Col. 3 13. 

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead in- 
deed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:11. 

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not 
provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. 
Rom. 13:14. 

Therefore, brethren we are debtors, not to the flesh, 
to live after the flesh. Rom. 8:12. 



109 



COMPENDIUM 



SALVATION AND REWARDS. 

The New Testament Scriptures contain a doctrine 
of salvation for the lost, and a doctrine of rewards 
for the faithful services of the saved; and it is of 
great importance to the right understanding of the 
Word that the student shall comprehend the distinc- 
tion between these. What that distinction is may be 
seen by carefully noting the following contrasts : 

i. Salvation is a Free Gift. 

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest 
the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give 
Me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of Him, and 
He would have given thee living water. John 4:10. 

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, 
and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy and eat ; yea, 
come, buy wine and milk without money and with- 
out price. Isa. 55 :i. 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And 
let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst come : and whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely. Rev. 22:17. 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God 
is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 
6 :23. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that 
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God : not of works, 
lest any man should boast. Eph. 2 :8, 9. But in con- 
trast with the freeness of salvation, note that, 

no 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 



Rewards are earned by works. 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of 
these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name 
of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise 
lose his reward. Matt. 10 42. 

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 
course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid 
up for me a crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:7, 8, 

And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with 
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Rev. 22:12. 

Know ye not that they which run in a race run 
all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may 
obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery 
is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain 
a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 
Cor. 9:24, 25. 

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant, 
because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have 
thou authority over ten cities. Luke 19:17. 

For other foundation can no man lay than that 
is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build 
upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, 
wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made 
manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it 
shall be revealed by fire ; and the fire shall try every 
man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work 
abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive 
a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he 
shall suffer loss ; but he himself shall be saved; yet 
so as by fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-15. 

Fear none of those things, which thou shalt suffer : 
behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, 
that ye may be tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten 

in 



COMPENDIUM 

days : be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee 
a crown of life. Rev. 2:10. 

[Not "life" — the Smyrna saints had this — but a 
"crown of life." Crowns are symbols of rewards — of 
distinctions earned. It may be remarked that four 
crowns are mentioned : that of joy, or rejoicing, the 
reward of ministry (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19); of 
righteousness, the reward of faithfulness in testimony, 
(2 Tim. 4 :8) ; of life, the reward of fathfulness under 
trial (James 1 :i2; Rev. 2:10) ; and of glory, the re- 
ward of faithfulness under suffering (1 Pet. 5:4; 
Heb. 2:9.)] 

2. Salvation is a Present Possession. 

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting 
life. John 3 136. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My 
word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath eternal 
life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed 
out of death into life. John 5 -.24. R. V. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth 
on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47. 

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy 
calling, not according to our works, but according 
to His own purpose and grace. 2 Tim. 1 19. 

And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved 
thee ; go in peace. Luke 7 :5c 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, 
but according to His mercy He saved us, by the 
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy 
Ghost. Titus 3 15. 

And this is the record, that God hath given to us 
eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 
5:11. But, 



112 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

Rewards are a future attainment. 

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His 
Father, with His angels, and then shall He reward 
every man according to his works. Matt. 16-27. 

For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection 
of the just. Luke 14:14. 

And behold I come quickly; and My reward is 
with Me, to give every man according as his work 
shall be. Rev. 22:12. 

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall 
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 
Pet. 5 : 4 . 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, 
shall give me at that day. 2 Tim. 4 :8. 

After a long time the Lord of those servants com- 
eth, and reckoned with them. Matt. 25 :ic>. 

God's purpose in promising to reward with heav- 
enly and eternal honors the faithful service of His 
saints is to win them from the pursuit of earthly 
riches and pleasures, to sustain them in the fires of 
persecution, and to encourage them in the exercise of 
Christian virtues. See, 
Heb. 11 :8-io, 24-27. 
Heb. 12:2, 3. 
Luke 14:12, 14. 
Matt. 10:41, 42. 
Heb. 6:10. 
Col. 3 :22-24. 
Matt. 5:11, 12. 
John 4 :35, 36. 
Daniel 12:3. 
Luke 12:35-37. 
2 Tim. 4:8. 
Finally, let us heed the warning — Rev. 3:11. 

113 



COMPENDIUM 



CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY. 

The following article appeared in the Schenec- 
tady (N. Y.) Gazette, issue of August 5, 1901, and 
coming thus from a secular newspaper cannot be 
viewed as of sectarian bias : 

"There is a body of Christians in this city who do 
not recognize denominational bounds, creed excesses, 
or other sectarian limitations, and who, avoiding 
those of the great questions that have caused divi- 
sion and woeful controversy since the early days of 
the Christian church, meet together for prayer, praise 
and edification from time to time, away from every 
influence that would distract their attention from 
hallowed things. The number of those who thus 
gather round what they style 'the table of the Lord' 
is, naturally, small, for the 'meeting/ as the gathering 
is termed, aims at strict simplicity and an apostolic 
primitiveness in the lives of those who attend — quali- 
ties that are exactly in demand at this age of worldly 
striving, unseemly conduct and personal ostentation. 

"It was the privilege of a representative of The 
Gazette to be present at a recent meeting of this 
Christian cult. Every detail was conducted with the 
utmost attention to the primal aims of deepest devo- 
tion and heartfelt praise. Not an irrelevant word was 
uttered, no expression approaching to lightness was 
heard, neither was any hymn sung that did not voice 
the highest aspirations of the soul after deeper spir- 
itual depths and higher character depths. Few illus- 

114 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

trations and no anecdotes were employed by the speak- 
ers — the body has no minister — and the one theme 
that was uppermost in the remarks was that of emu- 
lation of the life of Christ and earnest seeking to 
know His will concerning individual experiences. 
Each one who took part seemed to follow out the 
line of thought brought up by the preceding speaker, 
and the result gave the stranger an impression that 
they had solved the problem of the ages and had at- 
tained Christian unity. The solemnity of such a 
service cannot but be felt and remembered ever after 
by those who are privileged to be present. 

'The body is known generically as 'the brethren,' 
and there are thousands of communicants throughout 
the world. The idea of Christian socialism charac- 
terizes their conduct in so far as it applies to help- 
ing one another, and it has long been evident to think- 
ing Christians that some of the most beautiful char- 
acters of those that added to the joys of faith the 
blessedness of personal experience owe their inspira- 
tion to the influence of 'the little flock/ as the meeting 
is sometimes styled. Some of the leading points of 
their doctrine have thus been summarized : 

"They believe in the absolute and perfect inspira- 
tion of the Bible, which they hold to be, not in the 
name only, but in the reality, the Word of God. 

"Having this perfect revelation of the mind of God, 
they refuse all human creed as being both unnecessary 
and a slur upon His Word. 

"They, however, have no uncertain belief in the 
doctrines as unfolded in the Scriptures : — the fall 
and absolute ruin of man : the utter worthlessness of 
works, law-keeping and reformation as a ground of 
salvation ; the amazing love of God in providing a 
Saviour in His blessed Son ; the spotless perfection of 
Christ, both in His Divine nature and His true hu- 

ii5 



COMPENDIUM 

manity; atonement by the blood shedding of Christ 
on the cross, by which alone redemption has been 
accomplished ; His resurrection as the proof of God's 
acceptance of that atonement. 

"They see that every believer is warranted to have 
the fullest assurance of their present and eternal 
salvation, and that this assurance comes not through 
feelings or experiences, but by the Word of God. 
They also see that being saved by Christ's work once 
for all, the believer can never be lost, but is as secure 
as though he were in Heaven already, because of 
Christ's death and resurrection. 

"They see, however, that Scripture guards from 
abuse of this doctrine, by insisting upon good works 
as the fruit of salvation ; that the believer is to reckon 
himself dead to sin, and to live not only a moral life, 
but one of love and devotedness to Christ, and of sepa- 
ration from the ways and thoughts of the world. 

"They believe that the proper hope of God's people 
is not the improvement of the world, but the coming 
of Christ for His own, to raise the dead in Christ and 
change the living, and then take them all to Heaven, 
and then purge and cleanse the world by judgment, 
preparatory to the millennium, when Israel and the 
nations of the earth will inhabit it under His rule, but 
His church will always be in Heaven. 

"They hold that rejectors of the Gospel and all the 
wicked will 'have their part in the lake which burn- 
etii with fire and brimstone' — eternal punishment, and 
not extinction or restoration. They, therefore, be- 
lieve in an earnest and affectionate presentation of the 
simple Gospel of the grace of God. 

"As to the church government, they refuse as un- 
scriptural, all denominational names, and all systems 
of human devising for church order. Believing that 

116 



OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS 

the church is one body, they refuse to assume any 
name that is not common to all people of God. 

"They see, however, a Scriptural order of meeting, 
worship and discipline, and seek to carry this out. 

"As to ministry, they refuse all ordination as merely 
human, but recognize the various gifts which Christ 
has given to His whole Church. 

"They believe that when Christians are gathered 
together for worship, there should be no human leader 
in charge, but that all should be left to the Spirit 
of God to use whom He may choose in prayer, in 
praise, or exhortation (i Cor. 14). 

"They refuse all thought of salary or stipulated re- 
muneration for preaching the Gospel, but hold them- 
selves responsible to minister to temporal affairs to 
those who give themselves to the Lord's work. 

"They take no collections at public meetings and 
refuse all help from the world. 

"They meet in hired halls and other modest build- 
ings, believing such to be in accord with the spirit 
of Christianity. 

"As to ordinances, they believe in baptism and the 
Lord's Supper, which last is celebrated weekly." 



THE END 



"7 



APR U l 811 



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